Finder’s keepers along River Walk
Murphy The River Walk just got a bit more colorful, thanks to the Mountain Potters Network and their “Clay Art on a Limb” project all May.
Through the month, anyone along the River Walk should keep an eye out for colorful ornaments hanging from tree limbs or objects resting on branches or sitting in the grass. The small clay objects range from 3-6 inches tall and are numerous in design.
They include such things as gnomes, butterflies, dragons, hummingbirds and birds as well as other designs. The pottery pieces are whimsically colored and are the finders to keep once they’ve been discovered.
The idea came from Carol Merenda of the Mountain Potters Network.
“We put the pieces out so people can find them,” she said.
Kathy Ross, president of the organization, said, “We’ve been in existence since 2019. We do it as a community outreach and to let people enjoy a piece of clay art. It’s a way to give anonymously to somebody, a little something that we made with our own hands that they can enjoy.”
“When COVID hit, we found ways to continue educational programs and get folks connected within the network,” program chair Lisa Proper added.
About 20 different handmade pottery items will be placed along the River Walk each week in May. A single pottery item takes two or three days to make from start to finish, making each piece of artwork a time-invested treasure.
Merenda was grateful for the community’s help.
“We get together at different places to make our pieces such as Young Harris (Ga.) College at their clay and art department,” she said. “Then we have to fire each piece. We glazed them at the Murphy Art Center in their classroom.”
Don’t be surprised if while walking on the Murphy River Walk trails, you can reach out and grab a butterfly or see a tiny gnome staring right back at you. When you find your pottery piece, please post a photo of your find on social media using the hashtag #mountainpottersnetwork.