Specialties
Salmon Pottery is an art gallery and studio in the village of Trumansburg that features the textured pottery of Mary Ellen Salmon, and a sophisticated collection of local artists and craftspeople. In the studio, Mary Ellen creates her unique ceramic work, and shares her knowledge through pottery classes. The art gallery is a welcoming place, with a great variety of media, scale, and prices; something for everyone. Sculptures by Jay Seaman adorn the front lawn, while lapidary work, fiber art, jewelry, ceramics, paintings, blown and stained glass, and paper crafts live inside. The bright yellow house sets the tone for your visit that will surely leave you smiling.
History
Established in 2006.
Opened in 2006 by potter Mary Ellen Salmon, who invited mostly local artists and quality craftsmen from the Finger Lakes region to show and sell their work in the gallery. Mary Ellen teaches classes in the space adjoining the gallery, which used to be her living room and has been converted into studio space with seven electric wheels. Visitors to the gallery can often see Mary Ellen and her students at work in the studio.
Meet the Business Owner: Mary Ellen S.
Mary Ellen has been making pots off and on for the last 30 years. The years with toddlers and puppies in the house were mostly off.
Mary Ellen is essentially self taught. Her formal education in the craft has included some college in Texas, longer workshops at the Salem Craftsmen Guild in New Jersey, Tuscarora Pottery School in Nevada, and the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. She has attended some memorable workshops with Paul Soldner, and Rudy Autio.
She has taught both children and adults to throw at Amarillo Art Center, worked for the City of Tallahassee in their parks and recreation program, and taught privately in her own studio. Teaching and sharing the fun and joy of clay is a great source for creativity--especially with the children who enjoy the process and not necessarily the end product.