I work almost exclusively in porcelain, creating functional pieces. I’m attracted to porcelain’s sensuality, translucency and delicacy.
Whether my pieces are thrown on the potter’s wheel or created from slabs, my focus is the same. I’m interested in the gestural and fluid quality of the material, either in the form itself or on the surface through the use of slip lines and marks. In glazing my pieces, I try to highlight that fluidity through the use of celadon glazes and sulfates.
I spend my summers on Outer Cape Cod, where the ocean, sand and dunes are a continual source of inspiration.
Bio
Kathie Regan Dalzell is one of the five founders of The Clay Studio. She earned her BA from the University of Pennsylvania and studied ceramics at PCA, Moore College of Art and Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. Kathie has served on The Clay Studio Board often over the years. She has taught for over 25 years at area schools and has had solo and group exhibitions throughout the Philadelphia region.
What The Clay Studio means to me:
The early years of The Clay Studio were some of the happiest of my life. I was in my late 20s and had just left Moore College of Art. I didn’t know what it meant to be a potter or how to set up a studio. I learned both by starting and working at The Clay Studio.
It was an extraordinary experience. Initially, there were only 5 of us in the original space on Orianna Street, but it was a community. There was always someone to ask about which glaze to use or the right cone for your firing. We’d all gather on the loading dock for lunch. The friendships I made then are still going strong.
As our numbers grew to 10 and then 20 people, we needed more structure and rules, and I continued to learn. How to build a kiln and hang drywall; how to teach a class; how to set up a nonprofit and apply for grants;and how to collect insurance after a devastating fire. The fact that we persevered was perhaps the greatest lesson: the power of commitment. I never imagined that The Clay Studio would be what it is today. It has survived all these years because so many people believe in its mission, especially our strong leaders and generous donors.
It was extremely difficult when I left after having children and moved to my own studio, but I’ve stayed connected and have contributed in any way I can.
I’m incredibly proud of what it’s become.
