“It’s a pretty long process,” she explained in a recent interview. After throwing a vessel, Snyder says, pots must get “leather hard,” after which each piece gets a handle if needed and then is allowed to get “bone dry” in three to four days. Next comes a bisque firing to absorb a glaze, a bottom waxing, a sponging off, glazing, firing again at 2100 degrees, and finally, another bottom smoothing before pieces are priced and boxed. Snyder says it “took awhile to develop her glazes. She currently uses cone 6 glazes because as she explains, “I love the colors I’m getting.”
“Ceramics is something that looks easy, but is hard,” she says. “You take this little ball of clay and it has control of you.” But with plenty of practice (and talent like Snyder’s), beautiful and practical bowls, pitchers, vases, mugs and the like are created for others to use and enjoy. “I used to make RAKU,” she says of a more decorative type pottery. Her work is more for everyday use, in which she strives for elements such as nice handle forms.
Snyder says she gains inspiration from other potters, is delighted with the support she receives in the area and is looking forward to demonstrating and selling her art at two upcoming Garrett County Arts Council events: the annual Art in the Park at Deep Creek Lake State Park, July 10-11 and the annual Artists’ Studio Tour, July 24-25, where she will share space at Sue and Alan Arson’s The Loft Shop, 9415 Rock Lodge Road, Accident.
The Garrett County Arts Council is funded by county government, the Maryland State Arts Council and annual membership, the non-profit group coordinates activities and events to promote the cultural arts throughout the county and funds some 20 arts organizations, which integrate art into the community. The Gallery Shop is the council’s retail showcase of fine arts and handcrafts. For more information, visit www.garrettarts.com or call: 301-334-6580.