Elka Adamowicz

I am working in Glen Echo Pottery studio in Glen Echo, MD since 2002. I am firing my stoneware and porcelain work in the soda, cone 10 reduction and wood/salt kilns.

Most of my work is wheel-thrown and altered stoneware. My designs tend to have strong geometric lines and “boxy” shapes, an inevitable influence of my formal training and day-time work as an engineer. I am fascinated by the flexibility and forgiveness of the material in its raw form and the process of transformation of a lump of clay into a solid, yet fragile finished object.

I am drawn to a tradition of modern design of the first half of the 20-th century. I am strongly influenced by the north European design tradition; yet, I am also drawn to aesthetic design of the East. I like exploring geometric forms and variations, both in the shape of the object and in the surface decoration. Function is always the main objective of my work. Knowledge that someone is touching and using my pots in their daily life is a great motivation and gratification. I would like to think that, in a small way, my pots can enhance lives of others.

The aspect of my work, I enjoy the most, is surface finish. I treat my pots as canvas. I love to explore the interaction of glaze or slip with ash, salt and soda in atmospheric firing. The results are unpredictable and always one of–the-kind. Consequently, I am being surprised by every one of my firings.

Shows and Recognition

2024 – 50 Years in Clay, The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD

2023 –   Creative Crafts Council 34rd Biennial Exhibition,   Strathmore Hall Arts Center, Rockville, MD

2023 – Space, Harmony, Balance, The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD

2022 – Rhythm and Balance, The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD

2022 –  Surface Circus, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD

2022 –  Teapots IX, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD

2021 –   Creative Crafts Council 33rd Biennial Exhibition,  Strathmore Hall Arts Center, Rockville, MD

2021 –   Surviving with Clay, The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD

2019 –   Creative Crafts Council 32th Biennial Exhibition,  Strathmore Hall Arts Center, Rockville, MD - 2nd Place in Ceramics

2019 –   Out of the Box, The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD

2018 –   Design in Clay The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD

2017 –   Creative Crafts Council 31th Biennial Exhibition,  Strathmore Hall Arts Center, Rockville, MD - 2nd Place in Ceramics

2017 –   Vessels, Big and Small, The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD

2017 –   Teapots VIII, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD

2016 –   Inspiration to  Completion, The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD

2015 –   35- Anniversary Show, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD

2015 –   Creative Crafts Council 30th Biennial Exhibition,  Strathmore Hall Arts Center, Rockville, MD

2015 –   Art for the Table. The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD - featured artist

2015 –   Teapots VII, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD

2014 –   A Shared Vision, The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD

2014 –   Artifacts from the Inferno, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD

2013 –    100 Teapots VI, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, MD

2013 –   From the Fire, The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD

2013 –   Creative Crafts Council 29th Biennial Exhibition, Strathmore Hall Arts Center, Rockville, MD

2012 –   The Shape of Things, The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD

2011 –   Creative Crafts Council 28th Biennial Exhibition, Strathmore Hall Arts Center, Rockville, MD - Washington Kiln Club Award

2011 –   Personal Best, The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD

2010 –   Variations in Clay, The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD

2009 –  30 Years in Clay, The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD

2008 –  Shape, Color and Texture: Recent Works in Clay, The Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park, MD