Our Mission
At Terra Madre, our mission is to uplift one another in our clay journeys, inspire a greater appreciation for ceramics in East Tennessee, and encourage excellence in clay artistry and craftsmanship. Through mentoring and educational activities, we foster growth and skill-sharing. Our members are active in numerous juried and professional arts organizations, such as the Foothills Craft Guild, the Southern Highland Craft Guild, and the Knoxville Arts and Cultural Alliance. Together, we present 2-3 group exhibitions each year, while individual members showcase their work nationally, found in galleries, shops, juried fine craft shows, and private collections. Our seasoned artists support emerging ones, offering guidance in both artistic development and marketing.
History of Terra Madre
Terra Madre-Women in Clay is a juried group of clay artists which was founded in 2000 by a handful of like-minded potters in Knoxville, Tn. They came together to socialize and to exchange ideas and techniques. Sandy Blain, Judy Brater, Valerie Eiler, Annamaria Gundlach, Janet Harper, Pat Herzog and Marion Schlauch met through crafts shows and the University of Tennessee where Sandy taught ceramics, and shared her extensive and inspiring pottery collection. The group became Terra Madre.
As it grew, more organization was needed. Officers were elected, and by-laws were drawn up as well as a mission statement. It was decided to limit the number of members to ensure the group remained close and functioned smoothly. A more formal jurying process was also added.
Terra Madre- Women in Clay has become a popular group of clay artists with an enthusiastic following, and its members are affiliated with many juried and professional arts organizations including Southern Highland Craft Guild, Foothills Craft Guild, and the Knoxville Arts and Cultural Alliance. Collectively the group exhibits in one or two shows annually. Individually, member’s work has been exhibited and collected all over the country and can be found in galleries, shops, juried fine craft shows, museum gift shops, as well as in many private collections.
Many Madres have taught or continue to teach classes or workshops in and around the greater Knoxville area and parts of North Carolina at craft centers, private studios, local art centers or universities. The group has also hosted workshops by internationally-known clay artists such as Lana Wilson, Suze Lindsay, Sandy Blain, Jenny Mendes, and Lora Rust.
For some years they contributed to the community by participating in Second Harvest Food Bank’s Bowlicious Dinner where Madres donated a wide variety of their hand-crafted bowls to the fundraiser.
The first exhibit was at Candoro Arts and Heritage Center in South Knoxville
Other exhibits:
Fountain City Art Center, attended by a group from the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery.
Art Market Gallery
District Gallery in Bearden
Dogwood Arts Gallery in Old City
Blount Mansion “Flora and Fauna”
Bagwell Center Gallery at Pellissippi State University
Mighty Mud Gallery
The Emporium in Knoxville
Spring Show: Tellico Village Yacht Club, 2016
Fall Shows:
Lewis Group Architects 2010 & 2011
Hunter Valley Farms 2012- 2014
Harper Audi Auto Square 2015
Bridgewater Event Center 2016-2018
St George Greek Orthodox Church 2019 -2024