(October 11, 2007) The studio and gallery of Gail Anderson has opened in Kingwood. The studio is located at 137A

South Price Street and is open between the hours of Wednesday – Friday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and noon – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

See the story in the Oct. 11, 2007 Dominion Post

From the Press Release:

A long time resident of West Virginia, Gail brings thirty years of experience as a painter, potter and silversmith together to create unique lines of jewelry and pottery that blend the natural beauties of the earth into accessible works of art that you can touch and use in your every day life. Like any true artist, her love of making things goes back to early childhood where, “…the pleasure in a new box of crayons never dimmed. Over the years, the mediums have changed but the joy in finding a new material with which to express myself has always remained.”

Schooled by two equally talented parents, she began her education in a variety of textile arts, woodworking and stained glass. Under the tutelage of an inspiring art teacher she soon began what would be a lifelong exploration of oil painting, water colors, clay sculpture, wheel thrown pottery and weaving. In her early adult years she worked as a silversmith, adding the mastery of fine metalworking to her repertoire of skills. Over the next ten years she helped found the Zotter Pottery, serving as Principal Artist in what has become a highly successful production pottery. There’s hardly a gift shop or bed and breakfast in the United States where you won’t see a piece of their iron gray, New Geneva-style pottery, many still graced by her hand-carved or painted designs.

Inspired by this success, Gail returned to West Virginia, eager to found her own pottery where she could break free from the constraints of a single style. Over the next few years she worked in a partnership with a gifted local potter, Paul Burger, and focused on mastering the arts of glazing in order to develop the trademark colors that define her work. This effort produced such glazes as Northern Lights, Speckled Violets, Pine Needles, Crystal Haze, and Amber Waves; names which call up images of the natural beauties that infuse her work.

Gail is also a strong supporter of the arts, recognizing the important role they serve in defining and preserving the unique character of our local communities. In fact, it was her service on the Board of the Arts Council of Preston County that drew her to Kingwood initially, and ultimately resulted in her moving into Kingwood’s downtown Historic District. Her store currently includes a gallery for members of the Arts Council to display and sell their work which she hopes will, “…help do its part to encourage and support the vitality of the arts in Preston County and inspire those who see them to help continue our fine traditions.”

Her gallery is open Wednesday – Sunday each week. Please stop by and sample a bit of West Virginia artistry.