Local Springfield potter Kerri Henry will be displaying her birdhouses and other functional stoneware at this year’s Sugarloaf Crafts Festival at Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, from Jan. 24-26. Among the pieces Henry will be showcasing at the festival, she will display some of her birdhouses that are molded into a fish shape.
“I was excited by the opportunity to display my work with high caliber artists who show at the Festivals. I’m looking forward to offering the new birdhouses I’ve designed this year. I’ll also have my full line of functional art,” Henry said.
She fell in love with the creative nature of pottery after taking a few pottery classes in high school in 2005. In addition, she also took a class at the Audrey Moore Rec Center in Fairfax and then moved on to become an associate at Creative Clay, a pottery studio in Alexandria. She also took classes at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton as well as workshops with Bill van Gilder.
“I cook and entertain a lot so I try to make pieces that are easy for you to use for entertaining like trays and dishes for crackers and dips,” Henry said.
About seven years ago, she opened a pottery studio in her home. Some of Henry’s most popular pieces include Berry Bowls and Brie Bakers. Additionally, she also sells bakeware such as the Brie Bakers, coffee mugs and serving pieces.
Henry said that baking her pottery in a high-fired electric kennel at 2232 degrees helps to ensure that it is durable or sturdy for daily use.
Henry hopes to advance her skills and start doing some more complex, larger pieces such as a 20-inch handle platter with a glazed trail decoration.
In her spare time, she enjoys sitting on her front porch or hitting up local thrift stores.
Henry moved from Sacramento to the Springfield area in 2004. Her studio is located in Springfield.
The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival was founded as the Sugarloaf Mountain Works by Deann and George Verdier in 1975.
Its mission was to provide a “low-overhead marketplace where artists and craftspeople could sell their unique creations direct to craftlovers.” A year later in the spring of 1976, the first Sugarloaf Crafts Festival was held in Gaithersburg with 200 artisans.
This year’s festival will be held over three days: Friday, Jan. 24 and Saturday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Adult admission is $8 online and $10 at the door, and free for children under 12. Admission is good for all three days of the Festival. Free parking is available on site.
During the festival, shoppers can choose from the latest trends in handcrafted arts, including those in jewelry, fashion, leather, home accessories, functional and decorative pottery, sculpture, glass, wood, metal, furniture, photography and fine art of more than 250 acclaimed artisans.
Unlike other craft shows, shoppers can speak directly to the actual artists instead of salespeople. And they can also watch live demonstrations where they can see the creations evolve from ideas to completion.
For more information on show previews, exhibitor lists and admission discounts, go to www.sugarloafcrafts.com or call 800-210-9900.