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Updated 1/22/2023

Black Cats Pottery

  • M

    MA

Institution/Business Type: Artist / Creative (Individual)

Black Cats Pottery is owned by Helen M. Thelen, whose interest in clay goes back to elementary school.  Most pieces are for every day use at home, including mugs, bowls, pie plates, and serving platters, but also expands to decorative works which are saggar or raku fired.  I teach an intermediates class on Monday nights and a beginners class on Tuesday nights at Northampton Pottery.  My work can be found at various craft fairs in the area, as well as shows in NJ, and at ARTery in Holyoke, MA.  The most recent pieces are shown on Instagram @helenmthelen and on Facebook with Black Cats Pottery.



Creating pottery on the wheel or building by hand has allowed me to express myself through clay and color.  I love seeing how colors work together in the glaze firings, and the unexpected results that can happen.

Find Me

Helen M. Thelen (she/her)
Job Title: Owner, Potter
Address:
Amherst, MA 01002

Social Media:

About

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

2015

Overview

Institution/Business Type:

Artist / Creative (Individual)

Legal Status:

Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship

Year Founded:

2015

Disciplines

Primary Discipline:

Visual/Crafts - Ceramics

Additional Disciplines:

  • Visual/Crafts - Clay

Activities and Services

Activities and Services:

  • Creation of a Work of Art (Including Commissions)
  • Arts Instruction / Lessons
  • Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class

Communities

Populations Engaged:

  • Adults

Languages Available:

  • English

Geographic Reach:

  • Town / City
  • County
  • Multi-County Region
  • State
  • National
  • Multi-State Region

Media Gallery

Artist Info

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Private Studio

Ages Served:

  • College-age
  • Adults
  • Seniors
  • High School-age

Subject Areas:

  • Visual/Crafts

Certifications and Training:

  • Apprenticed for 2 local potters in Leverett and Northampton from 2016 to 2019.
  • Former artist in residence at Clayworks
  • Pottery Instructor at Northampton Pottery

Fee range:

Fees vary depending on the number of classes and the type of class being taught.

Teaching Artist

Teaching Settings:

  • Private Studio

Ages Served:

  • College-age
  • Adults
  • Seniors
  • High School-age

Subject Areas:

  • Visual/Crafts

Certifications and Training:

  • Apprenticed for 2 local potters in Leverett and Northampton from 2016 to 2019.
  • Former artist in residence at Clayworks
  • Pottery Instructor at Northampton Pottery

Fee range:

Fees vary depending on the number of classes and the type of class being taught.