Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea
Studio Potter Gwen Heffner Creates Porcelain Vessels on the Wheel at Kentucky Artisan Center

On Friday, April 28, studio potter Gwen Heffner of Irvine, will create porcelain vessels with a potters wheel from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.

Gwen Heffner has been working in clay for nearly 30 years and works exclusively in porcelain. Her works are wheel thrown from smooth white porcelain and are glazed with soft matte or celadon surfaces. While most of her works are functional, Gwen will often alter the forms of her wheel thrown pieces giving them an asymmetrical and sculptural look. Gwen states, “My work continues to get simpler and simpler. I am aware of volume, curves and inside space more, and am drawn to carve on the flattened and altered surfaces of my pots. My work is a reflection of the beauty I find around me on the ridge where I live in Kentucky.” Gwen will be making porcelain pottery on the wheel and also show visitors how she carves her work.

Gwen is a juried member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen. Her porcelain works are in such collections as Ceramics Monthly Magazine, and the International Ceramic Museum’s Corsaw Collection in Alfred, New York. Her work is published in nine books and she is active as a curator and juror  around the country. Gwen is a consultant with the organization 'Arts Kentucky' based in Louisville, and is the Information Specialist at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is located just off Interstate 75 at exit 77 (Berea). The Center’s exhibits, shopping, restaurant and travel information areas are all open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and admission is free. The Center currently features works by more than 680 artisans from all across the Commonwealth. For more information call 859-985-5448 or visit the Center’s web site at www.kentuckyartisancenter.ky.gov 

The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is an agency in the Commerce Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.