Acclaimed Art and Craftsmanship of Dollar Bay
Cups made by Kenyon Hansen. Photo by Kenyon Hansen.
Studio potter Kenyon Hansen and visual artist Lindsey Heiden will host their 2nd Annual Fall Pottery Sale Oct. 14-15 at their studio located at 23391 Dogwood Ave. in Dollar Bay. They will be joined by two other local artists, author T. Marie Bertineau, and woodcrafter Mark Waisanen. A wonderful celebration of autumn is planned with snacks, apple cider, and even a small campfire where you can learn to make vine charcoal, an art medium used in sketching
There will be a guided tour of the pottery studio, where people can learn a bit about the process of making and firing pottery, getting a glimpse into the life of a studio potter. Kenyon has built a large soda-fired kiln, which is really interesting to see.
Jar made by Kenyon Hansen. Photo by Kenyon Hansen.
All of Kenyon’s work is soda-fired which results in the atmospheric qualities of his work and makes every piece unique. He’ll have plates, bowls and mugs, pitchers and jars, along with other forms, Kenyon is inspired by his natural surroundings. Lately, he has been photographing the Northern Lights. This inspiration can be seen through his glazing process. Kenyon always experiments with new designs, and seeing the results is fun.
Lindsey’s been working on some large cauldron-shaped pieces with sculptural elements. She’ll also have candleholders for sale, as well as mugs, bowls and other various forms. Lindsey is working towards a solo show at Bay College in Escanaba in 2024. Kenyon teaches wheel throwing at Michigan Tech. Earlier in the semester his students worked with local clay they dug themselves in the Keweenaw. It’s pretty cool to learn the whole pottery-making process from scratch.
Jars by Lindsey Heiden. Photo by Kenyon Hansen.
I visited Mark Waisanen’s workshop where he creates beautiful wood art such as bowls, lazy Susans, and other pieces. Mark was a logger for 20 years and really appreciates the beauty of different woods, especially burls, an abnormal growth on a tree that often contains fungi which create interesting colors in and around the cracks, called spalting. Incorporated with epoxy, the burls are sealed and formed into a block. With a combination of homemade and factory-made blades on a lathe, he carves the blocks into bowls. Then they are stained and varnished to protect them and bring out the natural beauty in the wood. The lazy Susans are made using a round mold, then are polished and connected to a base kit, which has bearings for a smooth spin.
Lazy Susan by Mark Waisanen. Photo by Kenyon Hansen.
Mark travels to Bell Forest Products in Ishpeming to buy exotic woods like walnut, purpleheart (which is really purple!) and padauk. These can be cut and glued in patterns to contrasting woods like maple, and then carved on the lathe as well. Lately, some of these patterned blocks are becoming reindeer, in preparation for the Deer Hunters’ Widows Craft Show on Nov. 11 at the Copper Country Mall, sponsored by the Daily Mining Gazette.
T. Marie Bertineau is the author of several short stories and works of memoir, including the award-winning book “The Mason House,” named a 2021 Michigan Notable Book by the Library of Michigan. Bertineau is of Ojibwe-Anishinaabe and French Canadian-Cornish descent and is a member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.
I asked Marie to describe her book, since I haven’t yet read it. She told me, “The Mason House is a memoir rooted in the tiny town of Mason right here in Osceola Township. That’s where I spent much of my childhood—in my Cornish gramma’s home. It’s the story of a Keweenaw family's healing journey. And it’s testament to the power of love, hope, and resilience--not only for the family itself, but particularly in the heart of a young girl.”
I’m looking forward to purchasing the book at this event. Bertineau will be doing a book signing there from 11-2 on Sat., Oct. 14.
Hours of the 2nd Annual Fall Pottery Sale will be Sat., Oct. 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun., Oct. 15, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.kenyonmhansen.com or www.lindseyaheiden.com.
