01/12/2009
Edgefield artist Jane Bess donates work to NWTF
 |
| Jane Bess and CEO George Thornton pictured with the stoneware pottery bowl Bess donated to NWTF |
 |
| The special-edition hand-thrown stoneware pottery bowl Bess donated to the NWTF |
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Edgefield pottery maker Jane Bess was looking for a way to give back to a nonprofit organization that has given much to the local community. She had the answer at her fingertips.
Bess, who owns Jane Bess Pottery, donated a special-edition hand-thrown stoneware pottery bowl to the National Wild Turkey Federation in Edgefield in January.
"I felt like the Federation has given a lot to the community, and I wanted to give something in return," said Bess. "I'm also inspired by nature so it was a natural fit for me. Every piece is unique, just like nature."
Bess spent approximately seven days completing the green triple-glazed stoneware bowl that includes a rope-braid handle that has become part of Bess' signature style. The bowl is hand-glazed with great care and she brushes a Spanish red iron oxide wash on top of the handle to enhance the natural clay colors during the firing process. The bowl featured a turkey design on the inside of the bowl with leaf accents.
"It's a wonderful gift from a fantastic local artist," said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. "We believe in being an active part of the community and Ms. Bess does, too. The bowl is an outstanding piece of work and will be proudly displayed at our headquarters."
The NWTF is a national nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1973 that has worked with wildlife agencies to restore wild turkey populations from 1.3 million wild turkeys to nearly 7 million today. On a local level, the NWTF holds many outreach events to introduce men, women, children and people with disabilities to the outdoors and conservation.
Though Bess started working with pottery just 6 1/2 years ago, she is already an acclaimed artist. She was one of 44 juried artists with work showcased in the S.C. Heritage Corridor's Carolina-Caribbean "The Connection" international art show which traveled statewide around South Carolina before its final showing in Barbados. The show celebrated the connections between the Caribbean and South Carolina. Bess is also a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design & Art and an alumnus of the South Carolina Governor's School in Visual Arts.
Before trying her hand at pottery, Bess worked as an interior designer in Atlanta. She says her interior design skills helped her transition to pottery because she blends form, function and color with the final owner in mind.
"I brought my color theory along to pottery," Bess said. "Many people can make a beautiful bowl but can ruin it by making a bad color choice, but my pieces will work in a mountain home, a beach home or a house in town. My customers use their pieces both as decorative works of art as well as entertaining with them and many customers use their items on a daily basis. I like that." Bess' shop is located at 206 Lynch Street in historic downtown Edgefield. She also creates commissioned pieces for customers. For more information about her work, visit www.janebesspottery.com.
