Julien's Journal October 2016 (Volume 41, Number 10) | Page 17

JJ

PREMIER EVENT

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14-16
10 AM-6 PM (FRI.-SAT.) & 10 AM-5 PM (SUN.)
@ VARIOUS LOCATIONS,
GALENA & ELIZABETH, IL

The hands of artists who work in pottery,
unlike yours or mine, are quite often dirty.
Real dirty – as in caked in dried clay, the skin
cracked from overuse or stained by paint.
But those same hands, those frayed palms
and fingers seemingly in perpetual need of
moisturizer, are capable of producing such
beautiful things.
Talented potters, like the ones participating
in the annual Twenty Dirty Hands pottery
tour in and around the towns of Galena
and Elizabeth, IL, produce pieces worthy of
special places and illumination to set them
apart and attract attention and admiration.
Yes, the ten-plus featured potters in this
year’s Twenty Dirty Hands produce aweinspiring work. In fact, they display their
very best pieces at this highly anticipated
event. Some shops open their doors solely
for this particular weekend, because they
know those who take the tour have a real
appreciation for the art they produce.
Twenty Dirty Hands 2016 is scheduled
for Friday through Sunday, October 14-16.
The studios will be open from 10:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and from
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. The artists,
many of whom frequently work together
and share work spaces, look forward to not
only sharing their latest masterpieces, but
demonstrating how they create such labors
of love.
The artists that comprise this year’s Twenty
Dirty Hands (more than 20 hands, actually)
are:
• Eshelman Pottery (Paul Eshelman, Rick
Hintze, and Mia Ishiguro), Elizabeth, IL
• Richard T. Hess Pottery Studio (Richard
T. Hess), Galena. IL
• O’Shaughnessy Studio (Stephanie
O’Shaughnessy, Chris Lemmon, and Megan
Lindeman), Galena
• Galena Clay Works (Kent Henderson),
Galena
• Pine Hollow Pottery (Larry Priske, Gary
Sarstens, Ron Hahlen, Liz Robertson, and
Rich Robertson), Galena
• Fortuna Pottery (Delores Fortuna, Amy
Higgason, Patrice Murtha, and Roberta

OCTOBER 2016

TWENTY DIRTY HANDS

POTTERY TOUR

Polfus), Galena
For a map and exact locations, as well as
biographies of the potters and samples of
their art, go to the TwentyDirtyHands.com.
There is always something new at Twenty
Dirty Hands. Each participant displays new
and unusual work often not previously
displayed for the public. Plus, this year the
tour welcomes guest artists from outside
the area, talented individuals that bring
their own potting expression to the event.
Talent abounds at each Twenty Dirty Hands
location.
Besides visiting the studios and seeing the
potters’ impressive presentations, those
who take the Twenty Dirty Hands tour also
will see some of the best art that Mother
Nature can produce. This is “peak” color
season in northwest Illinois – no better
time to drive the country roads of Jo Daviess
County!
Incredible pottery. Fall colors in northwest
Illinois. What more could you ask for?

Tour the beautiful Galena, Illinois countryside, enjoy the fall colors and visit
some of Illinois’s best known pottery
studios and sculpture studios. Some open
just for this weekend feature special art
exhibits and events, allowing visitors a
unique view of their kilns, forges, and
work spaces.
The artists are bound together by a love
for life in the small towns along the Mississippi River. Their work is constantly
evolving and they pride themselves on
displaying their newest and best pieces
on the pottery tour. Visit TwentyDirtyHands.com.
Julien’s Journal  ❖ 15