Photo Credit: Barbette Houser
Rebecca Wood
Beloved local artist Rebecca Wood opened up her home to the public on Saturday, Sept. 20 for the “Artists in Residence” series, an ongoing fundraiser for WUGA.
Wood is the creator and owner of R. Wood Studio, a successful pottery here in Athens which creates colorful earthenware serving pieces with a playful and organic quality. R. Wood pottery is carried in stores and catalogs across the U.S, including Sundance.
Like the homes of many artists, Wood’s older cottage in the Boulevard neighborhood reflects the style and themes of her work. The house is full of lovingly assembled vignettes, still lifes composed of ceramics-some made by Rebecca, some collected by her—as well as etched glassware, dried grasses and locally grown zinnias. Wall colors in the home reflect those found in her ceramic work, including a bright yellow gold in one room and a soft, muted turquoise in another. One wall in this room features grey silhouettes of birds in flight that Wood painted.
Guests gathered in the artist’s home and yard and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres provided by Marti’s at Midday, including curried chicken salad in puff pastry. Wine was provided by Shiraz. Conversations were lively as visitors explored the inviting and unusual space filled with Wood’s drawings of plant life, paintings, and pottery along with antiques and unique thrift-store finds.
Nancy Lendved, a local designer and writer, spoke midway through the event. As the founder and original owner of Frontier—the first store to carry R. Wood pottery—Lendved was enthusiastic about Wood’s creativity and vision. “She sees possibility in everything— in the humblest shack, in a lump of red clay, in the outline of an oak leaf.”
Wood also spoke about her artistic process, her experiences in starting and growing her business, the camaraderie of the artists at R. Wood Studio and her ongoing blog and project with Rinne Allen and Kristin Bach, Beauty Everyday.
Photo Credit: Barbette Houser
Watercolors and drawings by Rebecca Wood will be on display at The Grit, 199 Prince Avenue, beginning Oct. 5. The next “Artist in Residence” event will take place at the home of mosaic artist Krysia Haag on Oct. 18. For more information, visit wuga.org.
Like what you just read? Support Flagpole by making a donation today. Every dollar you give helps fund our ongoing mission to provide Athens with quality, independent journalism.
