By Mark Abromaitis
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
Creating pottery has been called one of the purest forms of art. The clay comes from the earth, and hands are usually the main tools used in forming the pieces.
Harris “Sandy” Greenberg has been making his own pots, sculpted lanterns, and clay decorations for over 30 years. The accomplished potter is now sharing his love of clay-making with residents at Ann’s Choice, giving them the opportunity to try their hands at making pottery.
Not as easy as it looks
Greenberg says an experience in New Zealand turned him onto the art form.
“We saw some pottery and glazes in Auckland that really got my attention,” Greenberg says. “And I thought I could do that. But I was in for a rude awakening.”
Before he moved back stateside, he rushed to the nearby school to give it a try.
“But I just couldn’t figure it out,” Greenberg says. “I knew I wanted to do it, but I definitely needed some training. It wasn’t as easy as it looked.”
Finding his way
So when he and his wife moved back to Warminster, Greenberg immediately enrolled in pottery classes at Bucks County Community College. His art career was off and running. After learning the basics, his skills blossomed and he cultivated his own style. Then Greenberg joined the Montgomery County Craft Guild and the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen.
“I don’t like to make utilitarian things,” Greenberg says. “I like things you can look at—jack-o-lanterns and things of those sorts.”
Sharing talents
After creating pieces for himself, and then selling some of his work, teaching a class was a natural progression for Greenberg. “It’s something that I love to do, so I thought, ‘Why not share it with others?’”