Clay artists have June 5 backyard art sale

Four of the most talented clay artists in the area will host a joint backyard art sale 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 5 at the home of artist Vickie Morrow, 132 W. Ethel Ave.

The event is free and open to the public.

It will include works by Morrow, along with Jan Archey, Kathy Baker and Lisa Carlson.

“Each artist will have their wonderful creations set up in a unique backyard setting,” Morrow said.

“We are four women all working in clay but all in very different ways,” she said. “We are all getting fresh air and wanting to share our art. I am so excited for this event to become an annual gig!”

The sale will begin with a talk by Morrow on how to make a handmade tile backsplash like the one in her just-completed kitchen.

Archey has lived in Las Cruces since 1977 and taught at Doña Ana Community College for more than 40 years. Archey is currently working on wall “paintings,” using minerals, sands and mud from the earth and glazes. Her work often consists of a variety of firing techniques from raku to wood-fired ceramics.

“If I were to label my medium, I would say that I am a fiber artist first, but also a potter, weaver and gourd artist,” Baker said. “I use natural elements: shells, wool roving, discarded feathers and dried-plant materials such a dried corn husks in my weaving, clay pieces and gourds. Many of my basket reeds and hand-spun art yarn are solar dyed in our New Mexico sun.”

An art teacher with Las Cruces Public Schools for 16 years, Carlson said her artwork is inspired by her “deep love for the hill country (Texas), the rivers there and appreciation for a wide arrange of country music.”

Carlson retired from Las Cruces Public Schools in 2019 and is enjoying her time as a studio artist. “I have been designing tile tables, clay beads, silver and copper jewelry.”

“The hunt and gathering is a joy in the creative process,” said Morrow, who grew up in Deming and moved to Las Cruces from Scottsdale, Arizona in 2018. “There is so much fun and creative thought in ‘making the parts’ from handmade tiles or beads, rusting the piece or fabric, creating patina on metals, making paper to weaving wire parts. Finally, all the pieces come together creating an assemblage appealing to the eye, the heart or a memory.”

For more information, contact Morrow at 602-615-1146 and vickiemorrow@msn.com.