Welcome!
As a child, when I found a pottery shard from an ancient Iroquois pot I would feel the hand prints that had shaped the ancient vessels. It would fill me with wonder and sparked my interest in pottery. I look forward to sharing my work and hopefully that same wonder with you.
My Story
Mary Halsey Claps
I am a ceramic artist, currently residing In Upstate New York. My background is unconventional. I am a Registered nurse, Poison Control Specialist, and have been a lover of the arts for as long as I can remember.
My early years as an artist were primarily focused on photography. My photography expressed my fascination with the interplay of light and the natural world. At the age of 50, I walked into a Ceramic Studio, a spell was cast, and I have been enchanted since then.
Millie St John, my mentor and ceramic instructor moved to Clayscapes Pottery Studio and I followed. I have had the good fortune to learn from a variety of diversely talented instructors and to develop my love of sculpture and hand-built ceramics.
During the pandemic, I established a home studio and invested in an Electric Kiln. It’s a place of serenity for me. A country setting, trees, birds, a natural pond, and frogs are all in my own backyard. It’s a perfect setting to unleash my creativity.
My ceramics reflect my diversified interests. I love nature, history, and fashion. I’m intrigued by the fashions of British Courtiers through time which is the inspiration for my Royal Rabbit series.
My pieces have found their way to the Everson museum.
I have also sold in many local Juried shows, the Syracuse Art Festival, Art on Genesee, and my pieces are presently on display at Art Access Gallery in Bexley, Ohio.