This is the third in our series of annual Penland School of Crafts ornaments. In 2009 we began our tradition of an ornament of the year. We hope each of these ornaments captures a bit of the spirit of creativity that lives at Penland throughout the year.

Penland School of Crafts 2011 Ornament

Created by Lucy Dierks

Lucy Dierks is a full time studio artist who has been working with ceramics since 1997. She was a ceramics concentration student at Penland in 2003 and her work has been flying out of the Penland Gallery since 2004.  Her studio is in Norfolk, VA, but she also spends some quality time at a mountain hideaway in North Carolina.

You can visit Lucy’s website by clicking here www.lucyvdierks.com

“My pieces express my delight with nature and like nature; I want them to reflect a harmony of form, surface, and purpose. I strive to make small intimate pieces whose design and texture invite you to hold them. There is something about birds that speaks to me. The contradictory aspects of their bodies intrigue me. I find the exquisite detail of their claws and the patterning of their feathers very satisfying. I perch them on my containers to encourage contemplation and conversation. Currently I work solely in porcelain and mix my own glazes. I am fascinated with creating surfaces that mimic nature such as lichen, stones, or tree bark. Many of my pieces are designed as flower containers and are intended to reflect and compliment the natural environment they inhabit.”

Chickadee, Bluebird, and Thrush
Hand-built porcelain
2.5 – 2.75” high by 1.5” deep x 2” wide, 3.25” high including ribbon
Each native North Carolina bird is unique and varies a bit in size and shape.
$50 each, plus tax when applicable, includes gift box
Shipping is via USPS, $5.50 for a single bird (shipping cost adjusted for multiple birds).

To order:
Please call the gallery at 828-765-6211 or email penlandgallery@penland.org
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
You may also purchase a bird in person at the Penland Gallery.