Marion Polk Ceramics Shop Groundbreaking

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in August, the community gathered for the groundbreaking of the Marion Polk Ceramics Shop. The ceremony took place at its future location, in what is now being called the “crafting circle,” joining Watkins Hobby Shop, housing the woodworking and lapidary shops, and the Chriss Building, where artistic painting is taught.

The studio is named in memory of longtime ACV member Marion Polk, who participated in ceramics for many years. Her life story was reviewed at the ceremony, and longtime ACV ceramics instructor Laura Putnam shared reminiscences about Marion and her constant desire for perfection in her creativity. Laura’s fellow instructor, Diane “Dee Jay” Johnson, described the benefits of taking part in ceramics and other creative pursuits available in Dowling Park.

We are deeply grateful to Carroll and Carlene Polk for their generosity in choosing this naming opportunity from the 100th Anniversary Capital Campaign and for the other individuals that gave toward this project as well.

The new studio will be much more spacious in order to allow for more participants and will be a fitting tribute to one who enjoyed ceramics so much.