In my August 18th post on Watershed’s Session 5, I mentioned two Israeli Artists as members of the group.  These two women became such a big part of my Watershed Experience that I would like to talk a little more about them.  Eva Avidar and Raya Stern were able to travel to our country and participate in the Watershed Community due to a fellowship granted by The Association of Israel’s Decorative Arts (AIDA.)  The mission of AIDA is to foster the development of contemporary decorative artists from Israel by connecting them to an international audience of galleries, institutions and collectors. Since the organization’s founding in 2003, AIDA has helped launch the international careers of over seventy artists from Israel. Underlying all of AIDA’s activities is the goal to promote a positive face of contemporary Israel not often seen by the world.

There could be no better representatives of contemporary Israel then these two wonderful artists.  Both Eva and Raya are accomplished, and well known artists in their home country; Eva as a sculptor, and Raya as a maker of functional ware.  However, these women quickly immersed themselves into the Watershed Community, working with our stoneware clay, telling stories over meals, and sharing secrets and ideas.

As is the Watershed way, they were eager to use their time in Maine to try something new; for Eva this meant a foray into throwing functional pots, Raya tried new carving and decorative techniques on her ware.  In addition to this, they were both very excited to try firing the salt/soda kiln.  So at the end of their two week session, I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in a firing with them.  They both sat with the kiln all day, doing turn-ups and checking cones.  The next day, their excitement at unbricking the door was a wonderful thing to see.  Finally, we unloaded a lovely kiln load of juicy, salt glazed pots…everyone was thrilled!

Since they had a long trip back to Israel, and packing space was in short supply, both Eva and Raya chose to use nearly all  their finished pieces as gifts for their fellow residents and Watershed.  I am pleased to say that I am the proud owner of a mug from each of them, as well as one of Raya’s mushroom sculptures.  These amazing women inspired and delighted me with their excitement for their work and their willingness to immerse themselves in Watershed’s community.   Below are some images I captured during their stay with us.

Dinner on the lawn, Raya and Eva are pictured on the right.

Unbricking the door on a successful firing.

Raya and Jeffrey Lipton watching the kiln.

Wonderful finished work, and our most happy, kiln god!