A beautiful morning start for Day Two of the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR. We started with homemade scones & quiches… and then moved on to the task at hand. Chatting & selling pottery! Swipe through for a quick tour of pottery by the seven ceramic artists at the Sandwich stop… Cory, Jessica, Laura, Natalie, Tanvvi, Andryea & me!!!
Our talented host CORY McCRORY
“Cory grew up at the foot of a sewing machine. Everyday she would watch her mother break down design ideas into pattern pieces that fit together into 3d creations. Cory embraces this method of creation to hand build her functional and playful ceramics.“
JESSICA DOUGHERTY
“Jessica Dougherty creates functional and decorative pottery inspired by the beauty of botanicals. Her forms and surfaces reflect nature’s textures and movement, blending artistry with everyday use. Each piece invites connection—to nature, to the handmade, and to the quiet moments in daily rituals.”
LAURA WILLIAMS
“Laura Williams (they/she) is a Chicago based ceramic artist and educator whose work centers material, process, narrative, and play. Laura makes their work in their home studio in Humboldt Park and teaches ceramics locally at Made Chicago, The Digs, and Lillstreet Art Center.”
NATALIE STEINMETZ
“Natalie has been working with clay for over 35 years making both functional and sculptural work. Her most recent monster series represents the journey through trauma and grief to hope and healing. Natalie’s work captures both struggle and celebration – and her unique perspective resonates with collectors nationwide who find it featured in galleries and exhibitions.”
TANVVI AGARRWAL
“Tanvvi meticulously crafts each pot with a commitment to beauty, functionality, and longevity. She believes in creating pottery that not only captivates the eye but also stands the test of time, meant to be cherished and used for years to come. With every firing, Tanvvi strives to capture the vivid colors, dynamic ash patterns, and individuality that make each piece truly one-of-a-kind.”
ANDRYEA NATKIN
“Andryea aspires to illustrate the intersection between the conscious and unconscious. She produces hand built organic forms where nothing is perfect. Each piece possesses a life and personality of its own. Surfaces are embellished with her visual vocabulary with a limited palette. An aesthetic meditation emerges; giving the viewer permission to connect to something deep within themselves.”
And me!!!
GARY JACKSON
“For Gary, working in clay is very satisfying and helps bring out his inner child – like making mud pies with a purpose. As his craftsmanship has improved and his personal style became more apparent, he was drawn to his tactile nature and his interest in natural repetition & textural patterns.”
