48 | DECEMBER 5 • 2024 J
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bout eight years ago, Inna Jacobs wanted 
her children to take an interest in making 
pottery, and she enrolled them in a class. 
Part of the arrangement was that she would join 
them. 
While the youngsters’ enthusiasm for acquiring the 
varied skills did not continue, her enthusiasm kept 
growing.
Jacobs, who works as a dental hygienist in her hus-
band’s office, decided to take advantage of free space 
in the basement and set up a fully equipped pottery 
studio in that Brooklyn, Mich., building.
As a member of the Jackson Pottery Guild, she 

learned about the Annual Potters Market held at the 
Southfield Pavilion — this year Dec. 5-8 — and the 
event will be her second year showcasing projects.
“I like to do a lot of different things,
” said Jacobs, 
who will be including mugs and vases among her 
designs that also have trinket dishes. “I find making 
pottery very relaxing, and the process helps me con-
centrate. 
“You can do a lot of different things with pottery 
using all the different textures and glazes. For one of 
my birthdays, my husband, Jeffrey, bought me a pot-
tery wheel. To get all the skills, someone really has to 
practice a lot. “

Jacobs, a resident of Grass Lake, said she feels she 
has art tendencies within her and has done beading 
and has made jewelry. For her own pottery collection 
not intended to be sold, she has made and keeps a 
group of menorahs.
Jacobs’ works will be among the 30,000-plus pieces 
of pottery filling the pavilion, which encompasses 
17,000 square feet and is now holding the 47th annu-
al market, the largest of its kind in the country.
Guest entry to the market is free Friday-Sunday, 
but there is a preview fee of $10 for Thursday evening 
attendance to get first picks of the items being sold.
The choices feature handcrafted items made by 
more than 130 artists from across the country. This 
time, 44 of the artists are new to the event offering 
tiles and whimsical pieces among the varied items. 
Prices for each piece range from $5 to hundreds of 
dollars. Last year, more than 35,000 pieces were sold.
This year, some items will be set aside so certain 
sales proceeds will be designated to benefit Leader 
Dogs for the Blind.
While each artist has a booth, together they orga-
nize and staff the various areas with demonstrations 
about the processes for making these items. T-shirts 
listing the event are on sale.
Another Jewish artist contributing work since years 
before the pandemic is David Goldstein of Brighton. 
Last year, he sold about 170 pieces that he had made.
“There will be a lot of utility plates, coasters, 
soap dishes and birdhouses among my items,
” said 
Goldstein, who made a birdhouse to keep in front of 
his own home. “I also will be showing fish plates and 
fish sculptures as I try to be creative.
”
Goldstein, who was a postal engineer for many 
years, started working with pottery while he was an 
adjunct professor of math at Penn State University 
Mont Alto. In about 2006, it was suggested that he 
check out a pottery studio used in the basement of 
that school.
“Creativity interests attract me to pottery,
” said 
Goldstein, who moved to Michigan with his wife 

ARTS&LIFE
POTTERY

Jewish artists are among the potters 
showcasing their work.

 The 
Annual Potters 
 
 
 Market

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Pottery with 
Jewish themes 
by Inna Jacobs

Work by Linda 
Lefkowitz, including 
Judaica platters

