FORGET Pottery Barn. The exquisite handmade teapots, bowls and vases that San Jose ceramics artist Mary Dorsch creates are unique and original, not to mention almost entirely waste-free.
With an official Santa Clara County Green Business Certification proudly displayed on the wall of her Rose Garden studio, Dorsch is exceptionally aware of every carbon emission she makes in the creation of her graceful, utilitarian pottery and ceramic artwork.
To minimize energy use, most of the items in her studio are recycled and reused. She purchases wind power yearly to offset the electricity used by her kiln and studio lights and hand-makes her own glazes. She reuses the water in which she soaks her reclaimed clay, and even smashes up her imperfect fired works to be donated to local mosaic artists and schools.
Running an environmentally responsible pottery business is of utmost importance for Dorsch, who has been working as a professional potter for almost 10 years and holds a ceramics degree from the University of Central Florida.
In fact, for the past two months, she has even stopped using her car all together, choosing instead to tote her works around town using her own power. “I’m trying to minimize my impact by seeing what I can do by bike,” Dorsch says, noting her plans to buy a bike trailer to haul bigger loads.
Besides being green and guilt-free, her functional artworks are also exceptionally beautiful. Using a combination of wheel throwing and hand building, Dorsch shapes sloping lines and elegant forms that are then glazed with bold colors to give them a fanciful look.
Dorsch’s creations vary from quirky squared teapots ($120) to flowing floral vases ($80–$110) to whimsical cruets ($150) and asymmetrical bowls ($60).
“Fun, elegant and simple. All of those together is where I hope I’m going,” she says. “My goal is for the elements of each piece to flow together to create a sculptural and functional vessel. I aspire to create a sense of movement and personality in all of my work.”
Mary Dorsch’s pottery is currently being sold at Pacific Art League in downtown Palo Alto and at her website, www.marydorschpottery.com.
