Take a Stroll of the Pottery Trail Tour the shops of an age-old craft that
is still alive
and well in our region
Artists of many types congregate in our region,
and those devoted to the craft of making beautiful
pottery are no exception. A group of potters
has even banded together to create The Hudson
Valley Pottery Trail, a self-guided driving
tour of various pottery studios in Ulster
County. Visitors can chat with the artists,
some of whom exhibit their works internationally
and learn about this fascinating, ancient
craft. One can also purchase one-of-a-kind
pieces in all price ranges. Some potters also
offer classes and workshops.
Vaughn Smith, who was instrumental in founding
The Pottery Trail 14 years ago says, "The
trail is a wonderful way to allow people to
see what local potters are doing." Smith
and his wife, Jacqueline Cohen, run the Westcote
Bell Pottery studio in High Falls.
"I've had people from all over the world
come to the studio as a result of the Pottery
Trail," says Kaete Brittin Shaw, a Trail
co-founder, whose studio is also in High Falls.
She adds that the Pottery Trail has also helped
forge friendships and professional connections
among fellow Ulster County artists. "It
creates a strong network for us," she
says.
More information about individual potters'
work, and a printable map of The Hudson Valley
Pottery Trail, is available at www.potterytrail.com.
Phone ahead if you plan to visit a studio;
hours may vary and some are open by appointment
only. Here are some of the artists who participate:
Liz Lawrence (West Hurley. 845-679-4882). She's
been painting intricate, colorful designs,
ranging from domestic scenes to lighthouses,
on her earthenware pottery for more than 20
years. In addition to her dishes and bowls,
which are made to be used as well as admired,
Lawrence creates lamps, teapots, large painted-tile
murals, and more.
Laura Wilensky (Kingston. 845-338-2199). Laura is
a ceramic artist whose fanciful work includes
teapots, cups, figurines and miniature scenarios
that depict everything from whimsical kitchen
scenes to pets at play.
Henry Cavanagh (Kingston. 845-338-2199). A former
bronze sculptor and goldsmith, Cavanagh, who
works with Laura Wilensky, has been creating
distinctive CeramiCar ™ cookie jars
since 1992.They feature fanciful vehicles
from the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s.
He also produces a distinctive line of teapots
made in the shape of brownstone buildings.
Tripolo Studios (Stone Ridge. 845-687-4932). Here
you'll find a wide range of handmade, distinctive
pottery items that are both functional and
decorative.
Steve Fabrico Pottery
(Bloomington. 845-331-4760). He creates delicately
designed bowls, tea sets and other artful
objects in a 3,000 square-foot studio. A potter
for 25 years, Fabrico also makes garden sculptures,
ceramic birdhouses and other creations.
Kaete Brittin Shaw (High Falls. 845-687-7828). She works
with cast porcelain and creates everything
from vases and nesting trays, to nifty large
outdoor wooden sculptures of ladders bearing
porcelain rungs. Her signature pieces are
teapots of varying sizes and shapes.
Zoya
(High Falls. 845-687-4517). Potter Zoya Geacintor
specializes in designing various types of
functional pieces.
Stone Window Gallery (Accord. 845-626-4932). Owner Brinton
Baker hand-crafts unique blue, green and black
stoneware pieces, as well as porcelain dishes,
bowls, sculptures and more.
Westcote Bell Pottery & Studio
(High Falls, 845-687-7256).The husband and
wife team of Vaughn Smith and Jacqueline Cohen
run this studio. Cohen's work includes colorful
printmaking and paintings, as well as painted
sinks and matching tiles. They team up to
create painted pottery depicting everything
from flamingos and horses to landscapes.
Additional Studios:
Ash
Works:
845-384-6396
Ashokan Artisans:
657-8722
Anne Di Nardi
Pottery:
658-8024
Deborah Goldman:
255-0417
Ayumi Hore:
687-9440
Tim Rowan:
687-8906
Fran Sutherland
Studios:
255-0417
Debra Trager Sculptural
Studios:
657-8301
Esopus Creek Studios:
339-5408
Van Wells Hand
Bookbinding:
687-2035
Along The Way...
While you're exploring the Pottery Trail,
why not also sample some of the area's
tasty cuisine? You can even continue
your artistic odyssey as you munch,
since some of these eateries feature
ongoing displays of artwork done by
talented local residents. The following
is just a sample of cafés and
restaurants in the region of the Pottery
Trail. More listings are available from
the Ulster County Board of Tourism,
1-800-342-5826 or at www.ulstertourism.info.
ACCORD: Locals and
travelers along Route 209 often gather
at FRIENDS AND FAMILY II HILLSIDE RESTAURANT
(626-7777).
ELLENVILLE: AROMA THYME
BISTRO draws diners from near and far
for its tasty, creative cookery
(647-3000, www.aromathymebistro.com).
HIGH FALLS: The DEPUY
CANAL HOUSE, (845-687-7700, www.depuycanalhouse.com)
on Route 213 is a notable upscale eatery
in a former tavern that dates to 1797;
it's now a National Historic Landmark.
There's also a casual bistro, Chefs
On Fire, downstairs. Other eateries
in High Falls along Route 213 include
THE EGG'S NEST (867-3330, www.theeggsnest.com).
Housed in what was once a church parsonage,
the restaurant serves southwestern-style
dishes, sandwiches, vegetarian choices
and homemade desserts. Another favorite
is the NORTHERN SPY CAFÉ (687-7298,
www.northernspycafe.com),
featuring contemporary, creative American
cuisine and award-winning wines.
HIGHLAND: Popular spots
here include THE WOULD (691-2516, www.thewould.com)
and THE HIGHLAND CAFÉ (691-6913).
KERHONKSON: A popular
stop on Route 44/55 is OSCAR, a comfy
road-house restaurant that features
food with flair, and brunch all day
on Sundays. (626-9838, www.oscarccc.com).
KINGSTON: The riverside
Rondout Landing section and the historic
Uptown Stockade region of Kingston,
and areas in between, house many eateries.
They include THE STEEL HOUSE, a restaurant
on the Rondout (338-7847, www.steelhouse.us)
and nearby MARINER'S HARBOR (340-8051,
www.marinersharbor.com).
Other Kingston choices include THE DOWNTOWN
CAFÉ (331-5904, www.down-towncafekingston.com
), STELLA'S (340-0221) and THE HICKORY
BBQ SMOKEHOUSE with two locations (338-2424).
NEW PALTZ: This college
town offers lots of choices, from THE
GILDED OTTER BREWING CO. (256-1700,
www.guildedotter.com),
to THE MAIN STREET BISTRO (255-7766,
www.mainstreetbistro.com).
Stroll around and you'll find sandwich
shops, pubs, taco stands, several sushi
restaurants, including NEKO SUSHI (255-0162),
Mediterranean and Indian cuisine, as
well as Thai (LEMON GRASS THAI CUISINE,
256-0161) and more.
ROSENDALE: It boasts the funky, well-known
ROSENDALE CAFÉ, with vegetarian
fare and occasional live music at night
(658-9048, www.rosendalecafe.com).
Another popular Main Street eatery is
THE BYWATER BISTRO (658-3210, www.bywaterbistro.com),
a stylish Southwestern-décor
restaurant with an outdoor deck.
STONE RIDGE: The historic
INN AT STONE RIDGE on Route 209 (687-0736,
www.innatstoneridge.com)
offers elegant dining in a beautiful
country setting. Nearby is THE FRENCH
CORNER on Cooper Street (687-0810, www.frcorner.com).
TILLSON: THE POSTAGE
INN, on Grist Mill Road and Route 32,
is a favorite local restaurant with
a comfortable atmosphere; there's also
a pub room (658-3434, www.thepostageinn.com).
WOODSTOCK: One well-known
spot is THE BEAR CAFÉ, a landmark
that first opened in 1971 (679-5555,
www.bearcafe.com).
Woodstock also features Indian, Japanese,
Tex-Mex and more. Some options include
THE GYPSY WOLF CANTINA (679-9563), JOSHUA'S
CAFÉ (679-5533) and THE MOUNTAIN
GATE INDIAN RESTAURANT (679-5100).
