September 29 Construction Project Pictures
Ballston Lake Pottery Blog
Announcements, Latest News & Events
Exerpt From Daily Gazette May 8, 2015 Article
Potter’s plans for new studio fire imagination
Potter’s plans for new studio fire imagination
Ballston Lake Pottery owner James Sankowski uses a momentum kick wheel to make a bowl at his shop.
BALLSTON LAKE — If you drive down Route 50 and see that Ballston Lake Pottery has disappeared, don’t be alarmed. It’s only for a few months.
Artist Jim Sankowski, who has worked at his pottery wheel in the building since 1975, isn’t going anywhere. He’s just building a new studio and showroom and installing a new kiln.
In June, the old building, a former garage and sign shop, will be removed. Construction will continue into October, and sometime after Nov. 1, when the artist will celebrate his 40th year at the site, he hopes to hold a grand reopening.
Sankowski creates high-fired porcelain pottery that is both functional and decorative. In a sunlight-filled showroom in front of the studio, visitors admire and buy his handmade dishes, casseroles, mugs, bowls, lamps, vases and teapots.
In our region, Sankowski has been invited to show his work at the “Made in New York” exhibit at the Cooperstown Art Association; Lapham Gallery at the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council; Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute in Utica, and the Northeast Fine Crafts Exhibit in Schenectady.
Over the years, he has also shown his pottery at many art and crafts festivals, including the Saint Louis Art Fair, the Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, D.C., and 100 American Craftsmen in Lockport, New York....
News from the Town of Ballston
After nearly four decades of pottery work I've outlasted my humble studio space and my made over garage show room. I'm now planning to build the studio and kiln room I've been wanting for years. I'll also have a new gallery, 2 X's the space I have now. This should all take place later this year. I'll keep you all informed on my FB page on the construction progress.
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Spring 2014 Wood Firing
Reflections on a 2013 Holiday Season
As we enter the year 2014 and the 39th year of Ballston Lake Pottery, ( Can you believe that it’s been that long?), I want to post some of the photos from my recent Holiday Sale and Christmas Season.
The season between my pre-Thanksgiving Sale and Christmas this year was condensed and interspersed with a number of weather events. It was a challenging time for me in filling everyone’s order requests and making sure that the shop had a good selection of work on hand.
I’m glad to say this season went well, and customers seemed pleased with the work they found here. I’ve posted a number of photos below that tell this past season’s story in a visual order of events.
I thank all who helped support my business this past year. I wish you well in 2014 and look forward to seeing you again.
Sincerely,
Jim Sankowski
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Pictures From 10th Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference
These photos are from the 10th Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference, Oct. 3 - 6, 2013, at the 4-H Conference Center in the Blue Ridge
Mountains outside of Front Royal VA. The main presenters at the conference were Nick Joerling, Jim Sankowski
and Joy Tanner. ( All photos courtesy of Ron Allen )
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Some New Wood Fired Pots
Wood Firing Views and more of my Wood Fired Pots from 2013.
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Saratoga Clay Arts Members Exhibition, Dec. 8, '12 - Jan. 14, '13
Here are two views of my work that I took at the opening reception for the members exhibition at SCAC. This show runs till Jan.14th,2013. More photos of the opening are posted on the Saratoga Clay Arts facebook page.
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Holiday Pottery Sale of Nov. 17th & 18th 2012
I want to thank all those who came to my annual Holiday Pottery Sale this past November!
It is always rewarding for me to meet both old and new customers that share an interest in my work. I know some customers came from a few hours drive away to take advantage of my sale items and to view my latest work.
I posted a few photos here from this year's event.
I hope you all have an enjoyable holiday season and I'll see you in 2013.
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NE Fine Craft Festival at Proctors in Schenectady This Weekend!
Here are some recent wood fired pots that I’ll be showing at the NE Fine Craft Festival at Proctors in Schenectady.
The show is this weekend Sat. Oct. 20th from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday the 21st from 11 AM to 5 PM.
I’m finding that the cut side and textured surfaces are working well in directing and displaying the ash glaze runs on my wood fired pottery.
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Sonnenberg “Arts at the Garden” show
I returned from the Sonnenberg “Arts at the Garden” show three weeks ago, The weather was perfect for this outdoor garden setting. The result was increased attendance for this event. The patrons showed much enthusiasm and interest as usual.
Mary Beth shares a lighter moment with one of our customers at the show.
Long Boat: This was the first sale of the show for me on Saturday morning. I hope to have more of these boat forms for my shop and The Rochester Clothesline Show this weekend, Sept 8th and 9th
This slab formed platter, one of my newest of this style, went home with a customer from Ontario, NY.
Wood Firing At Dans Kiln June 2012
I wanted to share some pictures of last months wood-firing at Dan Greenfeld's wood fired kiln in Charlton, N.Y.
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