Clay Times Back Issues Vol. 3 Issue 12 • Sep/Oct 1997 | Page 21

memories of those evening classes linger. Vally holding court, sitting in her chair at the end of the studio, directing. “Ahhhhh . . .” it was the sound of someone going down a roller coaster and wanting it to stop, equally sure that it would not. Someone was making a shape she didn’t like. At “snack time” Vally would bring forth some delectable treat with students contributing a creation of their own. I will always remember Vally, head tilted quizzically to the side, eyes closed, holding a pot to examine it and learn it from her fingertips first. When she made pots, she did it first from feel, not sight. Her pots, following the circular pull of the wheel, embedding her finger marks, seem to pass to the holder that tactile awareness and her gift of touch. prepared and where it came from. While eating, Vally would show me things: a particularly beautiful green pepper full of shadings and curves, or some fresh mache lettuce from her garden (“It’s the best. They don’t have it here.”), or a spoon, expertly carved from a gnarled piece of wood brought to her by a student “with taste.” Another time she had four different types of pears so that I could taste the difference and know for myself which to buy. BRUCE BUGBEE PHOTO Because she enjoyed all living things so much, I went on the lookout for unusual, interesting, or beautiful BRUCE BUGBEE PHOTO things. I started to notice rocks and “Platter” by Vally Possony. wildflowers and insects. I went to farmers’ markets where the produce warmth and sensibility flooded the would be more interesting, less antiseproom, making my finger tips