The Prescott Arts Tour – Jill Keller, Ph.D.

Photo: Sue Sprague in her ceramics studio

The Prescott Area Artist Studio Tour presented a number of local artists this pas weekend. The tour featured 74 juried artists in 53 private studios in the Quad Cities. Mediums included ceramics, drawing, fiber art, furniture, mixed media, watercolor, along with oil and acrylic paintings, photography, sculpture and woodworking.

One Prescott artisan, Sue Sprague, began her beautiful work in 1997 when she moved from Tucson to Prescott. Sue shared she is a member of Mud Makers, a group of clay-minded people who share a vision to create a ceramic arts community studio where people can come to experience the art of clay. Mud Makers offer classes and workshops, as well as group projects and unstructured studio access.

Mug Madness is a part of the Mud Makers. A special Mug Madness will take place on Sunday October 11^th, from 10-3 at the Fairweather Courtyard on N. Cortez St. There will be events and activities for the whole family, all centered around clay. There is no admission fee, and there will be demonstrations by local artists of wheel-throwing, hand-building, and sculpture (Mud Makers, 2026).

Photo: Ceramic glazes and paint

Sue Sprague shared she fires her pottery and original designs in a mid-range fire in her electric kiln. She explained that mid-range firing keeps much of the color, while high range burns very hot and it is difficult to keep certain colors in the design. The clay she uses is called Cone 5/6 (best for mid-fire firing). There are various paints/glazes that are used for this type of design, and one Sue prefers is Celadon paint. It allows texture to show through.

Sue continues to study pottery and design by attending courses through Yavapai College. She also sells her work through her booth at the Arts Prescott Gallery on Montezuma Street, downtown Prescott.