Sarah Magar

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Sarah Magar

Artist Statement
I strive to create visually imaginative and textural landscapes to touch and explore, provoking thought through the experience of a tangible object. My imagery often blends satirical

narratives drawn in vivid colors, with fragility, grace, and vulnerability. For inspiration, I often rely on the positive and negative influences that I experience daily, the confusion of dreams and memories, and the wondrous curiosity I experienced as a child. I am fascinated by how the mind creates memories and the correlation of experience, both real and perceived.

Sarah Magar

Much of my conceptual challenge is to convey the nostalgic imprint of the past, and find ways to portray it in physical form. Like an interpreter, clay captures that transition, showing every mark or imprint, line, or scratch made on its surface.

I am also interested in the response to the drinking vessel as a functional canvas. I’m drawn to its intimacy and ability to partake in daily use and ritual. For me, the cup has become a simile for how we hold on to our fond memories. There is an aspect of preciousness and care to how we hold them both, cradled in our hands, or in our hearts.

Sarah Magar

Biography
Sarah Magar was born in Dallas Texas in 1983. She roamed shoeless and free on her family’s farm at the edge of the sunflower field and the wild wood. Other than visiting with the cats, chickens and the weird-eyed goats, she spent her time turning over rocks, catching grasshoppers, and poking things with sticks.

Home was always an open land of wonder for Sarah. By the age of 9 she and her family had moved several times and traveled much of the US. In the end, and almost by accident, she was able to grow some roots in the Rockies of Montana. Her love for nature, travel, and exploration was bolstered by Montana’s wide open and free charisma, and emboldened her need for the expressive and visual arts.

Sarah Magar

Sarah completed her BFA in Ceramics & Drawing with a minor in Art History from the University of Montana School of Art in 2015. Upon graduation, she went on to complete her artist’s residency at Medalta Potteries in Medicine Hat, Alberta. She has exhibited her work in the US, and Canada. She has received awards from several juried shows, including the purchase of her work by the Montana Museum of Art and Culture in 2013 and 2015, and The People’s Choice Award at the 8th Annual Simple Cup show at the Kobo Gallery in Seattle. Sarah is currently working in studio on Vancouver Island, in Beautiful British Columbia.

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Deborah Schwartzkopf

In 2013 Deb established Rat City Studios in her hometown of Seattle, WA. With a passion to engage and build community through clay she uses her unique skill set to offer educational opportunities. As a studio artist, she makes her own fabulous tableware that infuses life with purposeful beauty. Her artwork is recognized and showcased nationally. Deb was inspired by the guidance of amazing mentors along the way. These important relationships helped foster her desire to provide support and mentorship for the growing clay community. Her adventurous spirit has taken her across the country and beyond to build a depth of experience, knowledge, and a supportive network.

Rain City Clay, the sister-studio to Rat City Studios, opened in April of 2022 in West Seattle. This is a space for experiential group learning and exploriinig clay!

With over 15 years of experience, an MFA from Penn State, artwork included in collections (such as the Kamm Teapot Foundation, San Angelo Museum, and the WA State Arts Collection), numerous publications (including Ceramic Monthly, Pottery Making Illustrated, and Studio Potter Magazine), she has been recognized and honored in her career as a maker and is thrilled to be expanding the community.

Deb completed a Master’s of Fine Art at Penn State and has artwork included in numerous collections such as the Kamm Teapot Foundation, San Angelo Museum, and the WA State Arts Collection. She has been featured in numerous principal clay publications including Ceramic Monthly, Pottery Making Illustrated, and Studio Potter Magazine. Deb has been recognized and honored in her career as a maker and is thrilled to be expanding the clay community.