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The Guerilla Mug Assault

Nov 8th - Nov 8th, 2013

On November 8, 2012, The Clay Studio hit the streets ofPhiladelphia.  Stationed at sixdifferent locales with both foot traffic and an abundance of coffee shops, teams gave away 500 beautifully crafted handmade ceramic mugs to 500individuals with disposable cups. A tag attached to each mug included information about the project, the mugs maker, and The Clay Studios blog address with a statementencouraging the recipient to post about their experiences using their chosenmug and the relationship they develop with it.

This Guerilla Mug Assault, partially funded by the  John S. and James L. Knight Foundations Knight Arts Challenge Grant,  is part of a larger project titled Made by Hand.  The project began in August 2012 with two exhibitions: Derek Au Recent Work and Pots at Rest. The exhibitions exploredboth obvious and subliminal associations one may draw with tableware includingnourishment, the sharing of food, social hierarchies of dining, and theseobjects abilities to serve as reminders of people, time and place.

The Clay Studios ArtisticDirector Jeff Guido states, Countlessexhibitions have been realized on tableware, but none that ask both maker anduser to define its relevance or function in their lives, and more broadly, itsrole in present day culture - Why do people buy it and why do people make it?With the Made by Hand project, multiple voices and points of view will be given equal opportunity to expresswhat it means to them. And the project moves beyond the converted, taking theart to the streets with the Guerilla MugAssault, which removes a barrier formany when it comes to the handmade price.

BUY A MUG & HELP THE CLAY STUDIO REACH OUR MATCHING GOAL OF $15, 000

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundations Knight Arts Challenge isa three year, $9 million initiative funding innovative projects that engage andenrich Philadelphias communities. In 2011, Out of 1, 752 applicants and 36 winners, The Clay Studio is honored to receive a $15, 000 matching grant in support ofthe Guerilla Mug Assault.

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All Works

The Guerilla Mug Assault: A Historic Mugging - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault

A Historic Mugging - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault: Philadelphia City Councilman Mark Squilla Gets Mugged - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault

Philadelphia City Councilman Mark Squilla Gets Mugged - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault: Mug Assault Crew in the shadow of the Ben Franklin Bridge - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault

Mug Assault Crew in the shadow of the Ben Franklin Bridge - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault: Guerilla Mug Volunteer Peter G. Morgan on the mic! - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault

Guerilla Mug Volunteer Peter G. Morgan on the mic! - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault: Happy mugging victim with her new Sunshine Cobb cup - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault

Happy mugging victim with her new Sunshine Cobb cup - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault: Another satisfied "victim" switches over - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault

Another satisfied "victim" switches over - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault: Guerilla Mug crewmember Jerry Kaba gives a lesson in mug connoisseurship - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault

Guerilla Mug crewmember Jerry Kaba gives a lesson in mug connoisseurship - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault: Mugging in Progress - Photo by Amber Johnston

The Guerilla Mug Assault

Mugging in Progress - Photo by Amber Johnston

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Gallery Assistant Wynn Bauer passes out free mugs

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All smiles for her new handmade mug by Baltimore artist Matt Hyleck

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A Chris Campbell mug already in use!

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Trading his paper cup for a handmade one by Philadelphia artist Munemitsu Taguchi

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All walks of life enjoy Albion Stafford's mugs

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Taking a break to snag a Brad Johnson mug

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Thanks to Clay Studio Associate Artist Elaine Kelly for volunteering!

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Out with the paper cup and in with a handmade Matt Kelleher mug!

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So happy to receive a mug by local artist Rebecca Chappell!

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Owners of Cafe Ole in Old City show off their mugs made by artists Theo Uliano of Pennsylvania (left) and Posey Bacopoulos of New York (right).

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Excited about her handmade mug made by Marty Fielding

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Ready to Get Mugged, Get Ready to Get Mugged

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Clay Studio Resident Artist Julie Moon provides a helping hand

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Proud owner of an Andy Shaw mug

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Recipient of an Eric Pardue handmade mug

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Drinking from his Joseph Pintz handmade mug while driving

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Clay Studio Work Exchange, Grace Tessein, offers up a free handmade mug.

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Clay Studio Volunteers Lynne Berman and Tina Cheung giving away a mug to an enthusiastic Philadelphian

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A fan of both the Eagles and artist David Crane's mug

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Smiling recipient of an Elizabeth Robinson-Wiley mug

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Lots of interest in hearing about The Guerilla Mug Assault!

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Mug by Philadelphian artist Ryan Greenheck

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New owner of a Maria Dondero mug

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A Philadelphian chef showing off her new Stepanka Horalkova mug

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All smiles with his mug made by local Philadelphia artist, Michelle Miller

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Clay Studio Resident Artist, Matt Ziemke, helps refill the tray of free handmade mugs

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Clay Studio volunteer Yinka Orafidiya talks with Philadelphians about the project

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New owner of a mug made by artist Linda Christianson

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His new mug by Ryan Greenheck should help keep him warm while giving tours of Philadelphia

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Jake Montz, Clay Studio Intern, gathers recipient's information

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Enjoying a mug by artist Jeff Kleckner

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Showing off her new mug by artist Victoria Christen

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Pouring coffee into her new Lorna Meaden mug

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Showing off his new Marty Fielding handmade mug

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All smiles for her new mug made by New York artist Brenda Quinn

The Guerilla Mug Assault

The Guerilla Mug Assault

The Guerilla Mug Assault

The Guerilla Mug Assault

The Guerilla Mug Assault

The Guerilla Mug Assault

The Guerilla Mug Assault

The Guerilla Mug Assault