Clay Space... a creative arts center in Eugene

Your purchases contribute to our educational and artistic endeavors!

George Kokis

We have a beautiful selection of work by George Kokis available for purchase. George Kokis, honored teacher and friend to Jim Laub, has chosen Clay Space to showcase works from his personal collection that are being offered for sale to benefit Clay Space. We feel privileged to be custodians of George's work and legacy. Ask about our special holiday pricing!

Please visit the gallery or call 541-653-8089 to purchase.

Karen has been working with clay for nearly 40 years. She has exhibited work sporadically throughout those years with more of a focus on exhibiting since retiring from public school teaching.

Karen taught middle school and high school art for 30 years. Many of her projects with students centered around public service and public art projects. Before and during this time, Karen taught ceramics through Maude Kerns Art Center, Lane Community College and Amazon Community Center. Karen was involved in helping Clay Space with some of our original class and studio plans. She began teaching occasional and specialty classes at Clay Space when she retired in 2011. We're glad to have her working with us!

Viz City interview with Karen for KLCC Radio on January 24, 2018.

Karen's pieces are wheel thrown forms, subsequently manipulated with hand building processes. By stretching and compressing after the piece comes off the wheel, each form emerges spontaneously, defining its own character. Frequently working with loose sketches, she often moves from original intent, following a trail that tangents the original idea. It’s a wander through the world of form, one piece evolving from the last.

Most pieces begin abstract in intent, with her interest following the grace of line or curve. The clay working process often yields a sense of story. Karen's many interests (horseback riding, kayaking, gardening and music making) are present in the forms of her work. Gathering curve imagery from following the movement of a horse’s withers or jaw line; tracing the flow of a tree branch. She loves to create lift in these pieces, working the feet to create lightness and a precarious relationship to the earth.

Pieces that reach out, suggesting gaping mouths, are at times bird-like, gestures of yearning, of request and of offering. "It pleases me to watch my images alternate between the absurd, a flowing form, and a croak, as I find strength in learning not to take myself too seriously." (Karen)

Full artist statement

The work of instructor and volunteer  advisor Karen Perkins and and several Clay Space related artists, is offered for sale at Earthworks in Yachats! 

Stop by when you are visiting the coast.