Page 18 - Paradise City Guide Fall 2018

Show Stoppers

FOUR HANDS IN THE STUDIO:

Adam and Sarah Spector

Adam and Sarah Spector met and fell in love as undergraduates
in the BFA program at Alfred University. For the past 16 years they
have worked with clay in their shared studio tucked away in the
Finger Lakes.
The Spectors are both fascinated by the history of ceramic art
and other traditional craft media. In keeping with Paradise City’s
theme this fall, they are inspired by patterns — from the brushwork
of Oribe Japanese ceramics to William Morris’ stylized, naturalistic
wallpaper designs from the Arts & Crafts Period.

Adam is currently producing ornately decorated wheel-thrown
pottery that is highly functional. His cups are a pleasure to hold,
and his pitchers and teapots pour perfectly. Sarah creates symmetrical and
intricate hand-built porcelain flowers with carved relief patterns for the wall.

They often collaborate on functional work, but they especially like making
graceful wall sculptures that combine steel and porcelain in the form of flowering
branches. These custom pieces can reach nine feet in width and live at the heart
of their ongoing dialogue with the history of Arts and Crafts Period design.
Visit the Spectors at Paradise City Northampton in Booth 327.

“ Our strengths compliment each other.

Adam is great at coming up with new ideas and implementing
them, and I am good at hashing out the details of a project.
It's wonderful to have another person to brainstorm
with. Separating work and home time can be difficult but
communication is key to working together.”

— Sarah Spector

18 | preview the shows at www.paradisecityarts.com