12/1/06 Fayette — The work of local potter and artist Janet Dunn will be on display at the Fayette Art Center and Gallery through the end of January, and at the Fayette County Public Library through the end of December. A reception will be held on Tuesday, December 12th at the Fayette Art Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. To RSVP for the reception call 770-461-4494. (More info)

Dunn’s work is earthy, bluesy, and each piece is completely unlike any other she has made. She brings nature into some of her work, adding straw, rocks and leaves or other found items from the woods surrounding her home in the middle of Fayette County. 

The hues and colors of nature from the blues of water and sky to the browns and greens of leaves, grass and trees can be seen in a large portion of her completed pottery. All of her work incorporates a variety of textures. She says she is “constantly on the prowl for new textures to incorporate into my pieces. I love molding the clay, adding textures, seeing which direction the clay will take me.”  

Dunn quips that sooner or later her “blood will turn to the color of clay.” Her enthusiasm for creating her interesting and eclectic pottery is obvious. Dunn discovered her love for working with clay approximately 15 years ago after a lifetime of drawing, painting with oils and acrylics and multi-media crafting.  

She noted, “Clay allows me to incorporate all of the various mediums I enjoy. I knew when I put my fingers in that first block of clay and began forming it that I had found ‘my’ perfect media.” 

Ms. Dunn in turn says she is “possibly the luckiest person in the world.” She lights up when she shares how supportive her husband of three years is of her “addiction to clay.” When combining households three years ago, one of the requirements for their new home was a place where Janet’s dream of having a studio could become a reality. 

They found the “perfect home” in the middle of the county with an old workshop situated in a hollow a few hundred feet behind the house. Her son, Chris, updated the shed turning it into a cute studio with a cottage feel on the exterior. The interior is roomy and full of light affording a “dream studio” for Dunn to create. When talking about her work she seems just as happy to talk about the studio and how her entire family played a part in its completion. Dunn’s husband contributed much to the overall design and look, encouraging her to “do it right.” She points to the wood rack her father made which holds the kiln shelves, the material left over from the quilt her mother made for her which she uses for texture and the interior window bird feeder from Wild Birds Unlimited in Peachtree City her son gave her and installed after he completed the studio. Indeed, her entire family had a part in completing the studio. 

Her work can be viewed on-line at www.Hummingbird-Hollow.com, at the Fayette County Public Library, at the Fayette Art Center and Gallery and by calling 404-290-3638 for an appointment.

Photos: 1. Janet gives Fayette County Library Director Chris Snell a bowl in appreciation of her support. 2. The bowl 3. One of the pieces for sale at the Gallery