(Not just a) Mug Shop: Varied inventory in Scenic City Clay Arts' new retail outlet

Photo Gallery

(Not just a) Mug Shop

Chattanooga will have a new stop among its first Friday art openings this month. Scenic City Clay Arts will debut its Mug Shop with a grand opening scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m.

Executive Director Joy Key says the shop carries more than its namesake item, "but mugs tend to be what people think of when people think about purchasing pottery."

So, yes, there are plates, platters, cups, bowls, vases, even jewelry, but the space is "primarily filled with all different kinds of mugs."

The Mug Shop takes up just a small area of the East 11th Street studio, which will be buzzing with other activity as well during the event. There will be tours of the overall space, wheel-throwing demonstrations and 10% discounts for any nonmember who signs up for a class (certain restrictions apply).

Key says the community studio currently has 144 members, whose experience levels vary widely, from beginner potters taking their first class to more advanced potters who profit from their work. Members have access to the space during open studio hours, with wheels, slab rollers, shelf space, hand-building and wheel-throwing tools available, three types of clay, more than 20 glazes mixed in-house and kiln firings.

"Some artists have their own studio but just like to come in and work in this space sometimes or take advantage of our awesome glaze inventory," Key says. "For some, it's a full studio where they come and create all their work. For some, it's more of a social, community environment - we call them our Tuesday Gang - who come in to see each other, create their pieces, have fun and hang out."

Key says mugs may sound like a simple project for potters, but the techniques "are more advanced than you'd think," requiring the artist to master handle building and base and lip finishing.

"Once they get good at it, they can start cranking them out at a pretty good rate," she says. "They can make half a dozen at a time."

There may be similarities among pieces made at the same time, but often an artist will experiment with different glaze patterns or colors to differentiate each piece.

"Even if they do look similar, no two are exactly alike," Key says.

Prices in the Mug Shop are set by the artists, but Key says they start at $12 for mugs and go up to platters in the $50 to $60 range.

"The grand opening is the perfect time for anyone with an interest in pottery to check us out," Key says. "There will be people doing demos, there will be light refreshments and you maybe can find some pieces to take home. It's just a really good, casual, fun time to come and see what we do."

Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.