Marcia Reiver, Raku Ceramic Artist
Marcia Reiver is a full-time raku ceramic artist with a background in Graphic and Fashion Design. Her designs are inspired by various forms of art, including Russian and Asian architecture, fabric patterns, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco. She draws out the details of her designs and tapes off the lines before applying glazes inside and outside of the piece.
Marcia is a PA Guild Master Artisan who has been a part of the Haverford Guild since its inception. She is a published artist, having her work featured in books like 500 Tiles, 500 Raku, and Art Tiles. Marcia has been recognized for her outstanding contributions in the field, winning awards for Best in Category and Unique Voice. Her artwork can currently be found in several galleries across the country, including Regina Marie Designs and Gallery in Skippack, PA, and The Princeton University Museum Shop in Princeton, NJ. You can catch her exhibiting her work in shows all over the country, such as RockArts in Rockville, MD, Rose Squared Show in Anderson Park and Brookdale Park, Montclair, NJ, An Occasion for the Arts in Williamsburg, VA, and One of a Kind Chicago in Chicago, IL.
Why I Chose Raku Ceramics
A teacher introduced me to Raku firing, which I had heard of before but was willing to try. I fell in love with it and became an expert. Hand building suited me better than wheel throwing, allowing me to craft immaculate shapes.
I can now repeat shapes and modify color, texture, or details to create a different piece. The Main Line Art Center is where I teach pottery classes to inexperienced to expert students.
I love to play with the viewer's eye by using foreground and background elements, similar to fabric patterns, to create a piece that makes the viewer look twice and want to touch it to see how it was made. Some of my pieces are textured, while others are perfectly smooth. I never know how they will turn out, as I let the clay dictate what it wants to be and the designs emerge.
My goal is not only to create beautiful mosaics, but also pieces you'll want to pick up and touch, not knowing if it's the texture or just a flat pattern drawing you in.
In Person Teaching
Marcia Reiver conducts monthly hands-on pottery classes at the Main Line Art Center. Marcia is passionate about teaching the ceramics craft and enjoys seeing others' take interest.