72 | NOVEMBER 30 • 2023
J
N
T
he largest potters fair
in the country returns
Nov. 30-Dec. 3 to the
Southfield Pavilion in the
Southfield Municipal Complex,
and two of the returning artists,
among the 140 artists showing
their works, are Rachail Laine of
Ann Arbor and George Erdstein
of Huntington Woods.
While Laine showcases very
functional works using a lot
of shades of blue, Erdstein
has functional, decorative and
whimsical pieces that feature
unique elements, and some of
his work showcases murals with
abstract scenes.
“We are so delighted to be
returning to the Southfield
Pavilion,
” said Bridget Blosser,
manager of the event in its 46th
year. “This is when the finest
potters in Michigan and the
Midwest show off and sell their
works in one place at one time.
“This year, we are thrilled to
announce that there are 44 new
artists in the show, along with
the many artists who return
every year.
”
Laine offers trays, large bowls,
vases, mixing bowls and mugs
among her many pieces offered
to some 8,000 customers who
visit the Annual Potters Market.
“I studied ceramics in Israel
at the end of the Yom Kippur
War,
” said Laine, 70. “I was born
in Israel and grew up outside Tel
Aviv. I always liked to play with
clay and made ceramic pieces in
high school.
”
Laine belongs to the Cherry
Hill Potters Guild in Canton and
also sells her works at the annual
Plymouth Art in the Park.
“I’m in the studio every day
and think it’s the best therapy in
the world,
” she said. “I love the
Potters Market.
”
All the artists showing their
work in the market take on dif-
fering responsibilities through-
out the event, and Laine works
in the Bulk Area, where items
need to get restocked. Other
artists can be seen handling the
checkout registers and helping
customers in many ways, such
as contact with specific artists.
Laine, a returning artist for
many years, describes the Bulk
Area as a place for offering
many economical items, some
starting at $5. Included are
mugs, tiles, garden art, whim-
sical items and vessels made
from stoneware, earthenware,
porcelain, raku and smoke-fired
materials.
Erdstein’s range of projects
includes decorative tiles to hang
on walls, abstract tall figures,
pitchers, vases and bowls. A
retired architect, he started
showing his ceramic pieces
in 2013 and retains a meno-
rah from a group of items he
showed years ago.
SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Details
The Annual Potters Market
has the following hours:
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 1, 10
a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 10
a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 3 with free
admission at the Southfield
Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen
Road. Preview Night 6-9
p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30,
is $10. (248) 398-6846.
thepottersmarket.com.
Potters Market
The annual event at the Southfi
eld Pavilion
is a great place to fi
nd holiday gifts.
ARTS&LIFE
POTTERY
Works by
Rachail Laine
Shoppers
browse work
at last year’s
Potters Market.