Art for Thought: Meet Janine Davis, Moon Dog Pottery

Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, Janine Davis now operates Moon Dog Pottery from her home studio in Welsh Run, PA.

Janine studied painting, sculpture, design and printmaking formally at the School of Art in Washington, D.C., Maryland University, Utah State University and honed her skills in ceramics with Ben Culbertson at Hagerstown Community College. Over the years, she has continued to learn and study on her own.

Janine put art on the back burner while she raised three children. When she returned to being a full time artist, ceramics was the medium that intrigued her most. “It combines 3-D with the aspect of color.” Janine describes. “It is exciting to explore a medium that combines both those aspects. I enjoy creating an art form of function.”

She first learned to create pottery on the pottery wheel in 1970 when she was in the 10th grade. Janine became a full-time potter in 1999.

Janine begins each project with an inspiration. She elaborates, “The ideas come from everywhere. The wee hours of the morning are a peak time for imagination and inspiration. If I happen to wake up with an idea I take it to the drawing pad or right to the Studio.”

She brings her ideas to form on the wheel. The pots are left to dry and then moved to the kiln for 8 hours of firing. After firing, she glazes the pots. They are dipped, painted or sprayed and put back into the kiln for the second firing at a higher temperature for about 6 hours. The kiln is then left to cool for about 24 hours, and at that time the pottery is ready for display and purchase in her gallery.

In addition to selling her pottery, Janine offers adult classes at her studio and Summer art camps for children ages 6 - 15.

You can see Janine demonstrate her craft on April 22, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Basement, located at 8 Linden Avenue, Mercersburg.

The cost is $2.00 per person and free for students. Light refreshments will be served. Parking and entrance are around the back of the church. Reservations are not required, but are appreciated. RSVP to mcfainfo@gmail.com or by calling 328-4777.

Next Art For Thought Demonstration:

Thursday, May 20 featuring Calligraphy by Barb Peshkin.

For more information about our organization, visit our website at www.mcfapa.org or fan us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MercersburgCouncilfortheArts

Tuscarora Area Chamber of Commerce and FreeMind seeking artist participation in new community event

Beginning on Friday May 7, Mercersburg will host a monthly event, "First Friday's - Main Street Mercersburg." The event will showcase storefronts in Mercersburg as well as live music on the square. They are looking for artists to participate in this new community event. Some of you participate in similar events in Greencastle and Chambersburg, and have found great success. The Mercersburg event will open yet another avenue of commerce for you as an artist. We encourage you to participate in all First Friday events by rotating to different communities. Please forward this onto to any artist friends in neighboring communities and ask them to do the same!

Details:
First Friday of every Month, beginning May 7, 2010
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Set up is at 3:00 p.m.
No fee to participate
Artists are responsible for their own tables/displays, set up and tear down - tear down is no later than 7:30 p.m.
You will be contacted to confirm placement closer to the date of the event.

Would you like to participate?

Please email MCFA or download the interest form below.

First Friday's Participation Form »

Please help MCFA make this a successful event for Mercersburg!