The pot, the poem, the lesson - the universe speaks in forms that tell us of our own. A vast theatre whose architecture, whose movement and sound, whose episodes have us billed in cosmic roles, speaking lines we cannot memorize for we know them for the first time consciously only when we utter them, developing character and destiny amid what scenery! A symphony of soloists playing simultaneously in a composition the structure of which has been given by the composer, but the music of which, the individual sounds of which, are the choices of each performer. Art creates images of that world that moves within the world. And it is this realm which embodies itself continuously. From day to day in our bodies. From page to page in our writing. From canvas to canvas, stone to stone, dust to dust: the pot returneth.
- M.C. Richards, Centering in Pottery, Poetry and the Person
My wife, Julia Terr, searched for a way to articulate her unique joy in life and found her vehicle in the making of pots and ceramic objects. Working in pottery allowed her to address not only questions of aesthetics, but of politics as well; she believed pottery held the potential to touch another human being in subtle but profound ways. An object of beauty on the dining table created a communication between her and the outside world. Julia was an artist who lived and worked with a passion to perceive and to express, to communicate and to share; she reciprocated the generosity she felt all around her in nature, people and art.
To keep her generous spirit alive and to support the institutions who continue to sustain the art of studio pottery, myself and Julia’s family have established The Julia Terr Foundation for Ceramic Arts. The foundation will provide funds to programs across the country devoted to the promotion of ceramic arts, in particular non-profit organizations supporting the field of studio pottery.
The first project of the foundation is to refurbish a kiln at Penland where Julia studied and learned the art of ceramics. I know how much that experience changed the direction of Julia’s life, and I can’t help but think, that in some manner, Julia will be watching with a smile over kiln loads of pottery for many years to come.
Tax-deductible contributions for the foundation can be sent to:
The Julia Terr Fund for Ceramic Arts
c/o Community Foundation of Sonoma County
250 “D” Street, Suite 205
Santa Rosa, CA 95404-4773
Love,
Vince
The Julia Terr Foundation for Ceramic Arts is a non-profit organization (EIN 27-1061885)
Julia at the American Craft Council Show, August 2009
Dear Vince,
Julia’s generousity of spirit felt limitless to me.
She gave so much of herself to others. Your words are beautiful and the foundation in her name is the perfect way to way to celebrate her and to continue that which was important and necessary to her.
Vince, What a wonderful way to honor Julia’s life and passion.
I have that mug that Julia was holding! I am so happy to have met Vince and Julia at the ACCSF show. They looked so adorable walking down the aisles holding hands and almost matching outfits. Vince and Julia were also very jolly and friendly. I am happy to have her mug and I am sad that she passed.
Hi Vince,
What a lovely way to remember Julia! Do you have a way that people can donate online? Thank you.
Thank you for the lovely tribute to Julia’s life and her passion for clay. I traded Julia a cup for a cup at Palo Alto this summer, and have been drinking from it every day at the studio since! I was devastated to hear the shocking news, and cling to that cup with even greater strength now…it touches my life just as she touched everyone who met her. What a wonderful, warm, loving human being — she will live on in our hearts, our kitchens, our studios!
I’m very sorry to hear of Julia’s death. I wasn’t privileged to know her personally, but have enjoyed her blog. What a beautiful way to honor her love of pottery and Penland, to refurbish a kiln.
May Julia’s memory be a for a blessing.
Laura Schulman
Penland, NC and Jerusalem, Israel
Thanks everyone for your comments and thoughts. Yes, I will be posting an online way to donate within the next week on this page, so it’s easier to give. And thanks, May, for the photograph.
Love,
Vince
Dear Vince,
I send you and Julie’s loved ones my deepest condolences. What an easy-to-love, gifted- and giving- soul she is.
At the Artist’s Collective at Elk, I once sepnt an afternoon with Julia, while she joyously filled her area with new work. A collector had just discovered Julia’s wonderful work, and was returning to the gallery for a second round of buying up her best pieces. Was Julia ever on a high wave, surfing her life, that fine day.
I was so saddened to see her go, and to see her gifts of beauty to the world become part of a too short, yet incredibly prolific body of work. From the first day I saw her pieces, I was in love with them- and her good spirit- as it shone through with such bouyance and love.
We shared a sense of the preciousness of living beings, and spoke with simple agreement that we’d like to do a show together… our ceramics are quite different, yet complementary, as she and I both depicted the beauty of the animal kingdom. That show is not to be, alas.
Were it possible, I would love to come for the planned celebration of her bright life. Julia lives on, and her journey will, no doubt, continue to inspire others.
Thank you for committing to carry on her support and love for the ceramic arts.
blessings,
Zola de Firmian
I am honored to contribute to the foundation and knowing Julia before and after her transition into the life of a ceramist I can easily say that her face never looked as happy as it does in that photo. She found her bliss and seeing that photo lightened my heart. I love you both.
xoxo Jen and Brian
Dear Vince, we can think of no better way to honor Julia’s life and legacy of incredible art. May the foundation be the spark that ignites someone’s career, someone’s creative energies and someone’s love for living life as Julia did. We think of her every day and miss her all the time. We love you Vince, Steve and Scott
i have julia’s website and photos of her work on my yahoo page because i love her work!! the way her pieces look so alive and vibrant. i have never met her. i am so sorry to hear about her accident. please accept my condolences.