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 Functional
Art Spotlight: Stoneware Pottery by
Yuma AZ Artist - Jan Bentley
By Lisa D. Smith
Strolling through Yuma’s historic North End downtown district -
just two blocks from the Colorado River, one may be lucky enough
to catch a glimpse of Jan Bentley ‘throwing’ at her potter’s
wheel. (Please click on smaller photos to enlarge)
 Holding
hands with the area’s rich history and heritage, Yuma has an
amazing artistic and cultural community that is steadily growing
as the town becomes a more popular destination. One of the many
studios and galleries worth visiting is Colorado River Pottery,
Jan Bentley’s working studio and gallery. Using a combination of
centuries-old techniques and work coupled with modern
technology, Jan specializes in functional stoneware pottery.
Giving us a greater appreciation of her art-- it’s fun that she
shares her creative process by making her pottery in the studio
adjoining her gallery--in public view.
 A
Yuma resident for over 20 years, and business/studio owner for
over 15 years, Jan’s love for her area is obvious, ‘I love the
laid back atmosphere, the sunshine and the desert. This is the
perfect place for me.’ Born in New Jersey, Jan studied art at
Cooper Union in New York City and finished her BA degree in
Applied Arts at the University of Oregon! She has been creating
pottery for over 25 years - and explaining why pottery is her
choice of art form, ‘I like to make things that make people
happy, and that they use. I like turning raw clay into something
that can last for a lifetime’.
  Pottery
is a welcome alternative to today’s mass-produced products.
Offering an art of tactile and visual effect - Jan’s Stoneware
Pottery has a function within our homes, and as gifts. Each
piece is hand-formed which makes it slightly different from
every other piece. Jan welcomes custom orders including Custom
Dinnerware, Baby Sets, Anniversary or Wedding Gifts such as
wedding platters and pie plates, Birthday Gifts or just pottery
in a size, color, or shape made just for you.
Some people think that the
ancient Indians made petroglyphs as a kind of ‘newspaper’ to
record events. This rock art is found throughout the Southwest.
Many of Jan’s designs are based on local rock, also showing
hints of southwestern designs and colors. Her beautiful pieces
in her gallery include Vases and Decorative Objects; Mugs, Bowls
and Baking Dishes; Custom Dinnerware; Address Tiles and
Decorative Ceramics; Wasabi Dishes; Candle Stick Holders; and
her popular Yuma Salsa Bowls with her recipe for Yuma Salsa
(below). All pieces are lead free, microwave and dishwasher
safe, non-toxic, and oven proof. Jan’s pottery is stoneware clay
fired to a high temperature which makes it very durable. With
reasonable care it should give one many years of use and
pleasure.
Jan’s Yuma Salsa Recipe
Whirl in a blender or food processor: One 15 oz. can of
crushed or chopped tomatoes, a pinch of garlic powder, sugar,
salt, oregano and 1/4 tsp. cumin.
Stir In: One small chopped onion, 1 tsp. vinegar, 4 oz.
can of chopped green chilies - or jalapenos if you like it hot!
Add: Chopped fresh cilantro to taste
Refrigerate unused salsa and use within a fe! w days.
Visit Jan in her studio and gallery - Colorado River Pottery, at
67 Second Street, near the corner of Second Street and Madison
Avenue, Yuma Az; for details,
click here.
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