Melita Gill

I have a home pottery and fiber arts studio in Henrietta and I am in the process of setting up a working studio in West Sparta. The beginning of my experience in clay was through the Creative Workshop at the Memorial Art Gallery. The first time I sat down at a potter’s wheel I was hooked. I continued my ceramic education at the downtown campus of RIT. It was there where I was introduced to Raku, which has become my primary pottery technique. Shortly after discovering pottery I took a weaving class at a local shop. Weaving and the fiber arts intrigued me almost as much as pottery. Several years later I earned a degree in art studio from SUNY Geneseo. Although I concentrated in textiles, which introduced me to many fiber art techniques, it was classes in anthropology that forever changed my artwork. I became fascinated in prehistoric European artifacts and symbols inspiring my raku pottery. I began combining clay and fiber arts in raku-fired masks and vessels embellished with fibers, beads, feathers, and small weavings. I became the equipment rental person shortly after joining the Weavers' Guild of Rochester. This is where I first saw a triangular frame loom. I became interested in the various weaving techniques that can be done on the triangular loom. I use several sizes of looms and design scarves and shawls combining triangles and a variety of yarns. I have continued to take classes and workshops in both pottery and fiber techniques. I believe it’s important to be open to new learning experiences from many sources.