By Maddy PUMILIA

People had the opportunity to choose from thousands of ceramics for purchase by more than 50 artists at the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge’s spring 2012 ceramic sale last Friday and Saturday.

“It’s a good size show,” said artist Ricardo Pratti who has been participating in the event for five years. Pratti brought in 39 pieces to sell. Whatever he sells, he will get 75% of the profit with the CCLCF getting the balance. The money made by the center goes back into the ceramics department. The center is currently raising funds for a new kiln.

“This show has been going on for a while, so a lot of people anticipate it,” said artist Rick Drobner, who has been involved with the shows for 13 years. “I think people enjoy coming to these sales. A lot of the prices are very economical. Students are charging student prices.”

The price point varies. Some pieces go for just two or three dollars. Others go for $500 or even $1,200. Drobner, who also shows in galleries and other venues, sold one of his pieces for $20. His prices range from $35 to $200.

Most of the pieces for sale were new. Buyers chose from plates, vases, bowls, jars, abstract pieces, functional pieces – basically anything ceramic could be found.

Some of the people make the ceramics at the center, but others like Pratti and Drobner have home studios. Pratti, though, still does some work like glaze firing at the center.

“Most people do all their work at the studio,” Pratti said.

Since some of the products come from further away, some artists don’t do any work at the community center.

“So this isn’t just a local showing. It’s all of southern California,” Pratti said.

Ceramics are basically mud. First the artisan creates the shape, then dries it out. It is put in a low fire, which hardens it. Then the person glazes it before baking it at a very high temperature (2300 degrees) for two days. The whole process takes about a week.

There are two shows a year at the CCLCF. Another show is held around Christmas time.

“We have a lot of returning customers,” Drobner said. “Generally, the sales I make are from people that know my work from other venues.”

“It’s all ceramic,” Pratti said. “It’ll last forever as long as it’s not broken. Ancient ceramics last thousands of years. These things will be around a lot longer than us.”

The Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge has ceramic classes for people of all ages. Prices vary. To find out more, visit http://www.cclcf.org/.

“I’m thrilled to have the community center offer these classes,” Drobner said. “It’s a great thing.”

  MADDY PUMILIA