Purple Glaze: art for the untalented majority

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by Ann Abel

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Attention all you would-be Rembrandts and Renoirs. Purple Glaze has brought the ceramics craze to Houston.

I can hear your aesthetic minds turning over the questions, "What ceramics craze? Has this writer lost her mind?"

To be honest, this whole ceramics craze was news to me too. But rumor has it that trendy ceramics workshops draw crowds in New York and Los Angeles.

"Even the cast of `Friends' got into the act during a recent photo shoot for People magazine held at a California ceramics workshop," said Wrenn Chais, co-owner of Purple Glaze.

Well, if the gang on "Friends" is doing it, it must be cool.

Skeptical? Who, me?

But when my benevolent editor gave me a folder full of press material and the chance to check it out, I must admit I was intrigued.

Before I walked into Purple Glaze's sunny, upscale studio in the Chelsea Market on Mont- rose, I wasn't sure what to expect. Not having painted anything besides my toenails since elementary school, I worried that I'd be out of my element.

But store manager Rebecca Penberthy gave me a friendly greeting and put my fears to rest. Purple Glaze actually caters to people like me -- with artistic aspirations but in need of help and not ready to invest in their own supplies.

Here's this studio, not far from Rice, where customers can play artist and leave with something to show for it. I'd pay $5-50 for the ceramics and $6 for each hour with their paints, brushes and advice. And somebody else would clean up after me! The concept was growing on me.

I had my choice of about 50 pieces of unfinished ceramics --coffee mugs to Christmas ornaments, dinnerware to dinosaurs -- and 50 shades of paint. Playing it safe, I chose a $7 coffee mug.

Since I didn't have a design in mind, I turned to one of their many idea books and asked the staff for advice. Throughout my painting experience, the two-woman staff was extremely helpful but not overbearing.

They left me alone until I spoke up. I was able to concentrate on my mug and listen to the oh-so-yuppie sounds of Sting piped over the sound system. But when I did have questions, the staff offered good suggestions and was never condescending.

Two hours later, I'd finished my homage-to-Matisse coffee mug (the artist may be turning over in his grave). I left it there for them to fire it in their on-site kiln. Firing costs another $2, and turn-around time is just four days.

Purple Glaze afforded me an offbeat, relaxing afternoon. Maybe my artistic leanings left me predisposed to like it. I can't promise that it's an experience for everyone, but I would recommend it to anyone creative.

Penberthy wants people to think of Purple Glaze as a unique first date. She has a point -- it's not dinner and a movie again , you can easily spend less than $20 and you don't have to make awkward first-date conversation all evening. And even if your date is a real dud, you'll have a cool mug to show for the evening.

Purple Glaze, located at 4617 Montrose, suite C190, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call 520-8645.

This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the February 16, 1996 issue.

Copyright © 1996 The Rice Thresher. All Rights Reserved.
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