MEET MAROTZ: Feature artist Katie Marotz has always had a deep passion for pottery and enjoyed sharing her craft with others through her work as a high school art teacher, but decided to make the jump to full time studio artist around half a year ago after wanting to make studio work more of a priority. She was unable to attend the opening reception for her work, but is honored and proud to be spearheading her first solo exhibition.

TIFTON — In her first ever solo exhibit, artist Kate Marotz brings her appreciation for the little details in nature and the craftsmanship of potters to Plough Gallery.

“Interplay,” a collection of Marotz’s ceramic works, opened at the gallery the evening of Jan. 20, and will remain on display until March 9. The pots, cups, and pitchers assembled for the exhibit represent the intricacies of Marotz’s style and intentions, serving as both functional kitchenware and works of art showing each and every tweak and mould made to them.

Through a coil and pinch technique, Marotz puts heavy focus on the interaction between her hands and the clay, giving her pieces a segmented or multi-faceted look that rewards keen eyes wanting to take a glance at her pieces from multiple angles. Much of her inspiration comes from the little details of the landscapes around her home in Wisconsin, such as flowers, cocoons, seed pods, or bark, which she melds into her work through wildflower, stone, or leaf patterns along her pottery.

“She really makes such well-crafted work that you never question it,” said Mark Errol, gallery co-owner. “Some people make pots or make things, and you look at the way it was made first, because it’s just kind of drawn to that, but this work draws you in with its beauty, shape, form, color, and design. Then when you pick it up, you’re secondarily rewarded with the acknowledgement of the well-craftedness of the forms.”

Indeed, the intricacies of her pieces are a large aspect of what Marotz hopes to convey through this exhibit, encouraging patrons of the exhibit to appreciate not just the art itself but the work that went into making that art what it was, with every joint, bump, pattern, and shade showcasing the care and interest the artist has for these pieces.

“We live in a world where there’s so much fast fashion and consumerism, to like, live with things for a little bit and then throw them away, and handmade pots–handmade objects–is not like that,” Marotz said. “I hope that these pinched pots remind people of that hand of the maker, and that long tradition of handmade objects, how they can be a part of your life for your entire life.”

Plough Gallery has been displaying Marotz’s work for around two years, showcasing individual pieces of hers and offering them for sale. However, this is the first exhibit she has collaborated with them on, which the gallery owners have expressed pride in as the hosts of her first solo exhibition.

While she has always had a passion for pottery, Marotz had been working as a high school art teacher for eight years before deciding she wanted to put her focus back in her studio in June 2023. Once she began making the leap to full-time artistry, she reached out to Errol about putting the exhibit together.

“I’ve been making pots and working on preparing for this professional transition for a few years now, but to be able to put together a solo exhibition within the first six months of being full time is a privilege,” Marotz said. “It’s an honor to get to work with Plough Gallery and to get to have any sort of solo exhibition come to fruition.”

“Interplay” will remain on display at the gallery until March 9. For more information, contact Plough Gallery at (229) 396-4200.