40th Anniversary of Blossom Hill Crafts (2010)

Blossom Hill Crafts, a ceramics studio for students and artists in Los Gatos, just celbrarted its 40th anniversary year with a pottery sale on September 25 & 26. Owner, Joanne Brice, started her one-room pottery studio in her Los Gatos garage in 1970. Originally, Blossom Hill Crafts (BHC) had only a dozen students, two potters’ wheels, and one kiln.

“People absolutely love the place,” according to resident artist David Johanson. “Recently, I was talking with a thirty something gentleman who started at the studio as troubled teen. He credits the studio community with turning his life around. Over the last 40 years Joanne has managed to create a ceramics studio that is truly about people.”

Today the expanded studio includes nearly twenty wheels, two large high fire kilns, two Raku kilns, two slab rollers, a new spray booth, and eleven classes a week. Classes, held at various times six days a week, allow students with a range of skill levels to learn how to use different clays, glazes, and techniques. For experienced artists, BHC offers memberships that include full use of the studio.

Throughout this anniversary year, the studio will host several workshops for anyone interested in learning more specialized techniques such as Raku, Sagger, and Pit firings with resident artist Paul Rubio. Hand-building techniques and wall art will be taught by popular artist Elaine Pinkernell. Additional workshops include functional design and mold making. In the spring, distinguished artist and champion European potter Cladio Reginato, will make his annual trip here to offer a series of his unique workshops.

BHC is more than a school for ceramic arts; it is a diverse community that welcomes people from a multitude of differing ages, backgrounds, and places of birth. Accommodations have been made for people with physical limitations. There are special classes for children. Members from Boy and Girl Scouts of America troops attend sessions that help them to fulfill their ceramic badges. School field trips and birthday parties have been hosted at the studio. Companies have even sponsored team-building through ceramics for their employees.

According to Brice, “Blossom Hill Crafts is all about community—the giving of gifts among each other. Beyond a place to learn, it is a place where potters can share, inspire and encourage. We strive to foster a climate for artistic experimentation and growth; where artists can focus on their individual talents and add to the creative community which is varied, talented and diverse. We range from those who have been here for just a few weeks to those who have been here for more than 25 years. What started simply as a small business has developed into many things for many people.”

As Blossom Hill Crafts enters its fifth decade it is striving to be a good world citizen. There is a heightened focus on kiln maintenance in an effort to save propane. Brice also has plans to improve the overall environment of the studio by adding a better air exhaust-filtration system and a central vacuum cleaner.

Solar panels have been added to reduce power consumption. “We are trying to get “greener,’” states Brice. With a Master’s Degree in Economics from Stanford University, Brice is a responsible business owner. “It’s a big investment but we are aware of our carbon footprint.”

In addition to her involvement at Blossom Hill Crafts, Brice personally volunteers each year for the Photographic Guild of Los Gatos‘ photography contest for high school students. At the History Club of Los Gatos, she contributes an exhaustive amount of time and energy to advance the club’s philanthropic and fundraising works.

Check the web site: www.blossomhillcrafts.com for details about classes, workshops, and pottery sales or call (408) 356-9035.