TESTIMONIALS

TESTIMONIALS

There is magic hidden in clay – a secret that comes alive only when touched by human hands. This humble material, drawn from the earth, has accompanied humankind in its creative pursuits for centuries. And yet, in the hands of an artist, it becomes something far greater than just raw matter – it becomes a vessel for imagination, memory, and emotion. Every molded vessel, every form – whether functional or purely decorative – is unique. No two creations are alike, just as no two souls are the same. When an artist plunges their fingers into the soft, damp clay, they pass a piece of themselves into it. They give shape to the invisible – to inner landscapes, moods, and thoughts. It is not merely a craft, but a ritual, a meditation, a conversation with matter. From clay, everyday objects are born – cups, bowls, jugs – which, through the touch of a creator, gain a distinct personality. Sometimes raw and minimalist, sometimes colorful and organic, bursting with expression – they carry the marks of fingers, the imprint of hands, the pulse of the heart. In using them, we sense the presence of another human being. It is a contact with something alive, intimate, and true. And then there are pieces that go beyond functionality – sculptures, ceramic paintings, symbols and forms that tell stories. Stories about humanity and our place in the world. About sensitivity, dreams, fears, and the longing for beauty. This is art shaped from earth and soul, sealed in the fired body of clay. In this kind of creation, perfection is not the goal – truth is. Mindfulness toward the world and oneself. The act of creation that connects past with future, transience with permanence, nature with culture. For within clay lies the story of ourselves – we need only reach out and touch it. …

Wiktor Franczyszyn – –July, 2025

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Alison,

Thanks for all that you do for me in so many ways. I am so grateful for everything. I hope I was a good roommate. The pottery community you foster is truly wonderful. Old and young connecting us all together with workshops and firings . We are all truly blessed. In these difficult times what better place is there than doing art and seeing and creating beautiful things. I love every minute in the studio … such a life enhancer. There are no words.

Debby Herschel

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Dear ALISON,

Your words touched me as deeply as the pieces shaped by your hands. Reading your reflection on clay, life, and nature felt like standing before one of your sculptures — quiet, breathing, and filled with warmth and wild grace. There is something profoundly moving in the way you speak about clay — not as a material, but as a living being, capable of being awakened by touch, breath, and love. The moment you “added a nose” was more than a playful act — it was the birth of a whole new world. From that gesture began your lifelong journey where pots become animals and animals become vessels, carrying the ancient dialogue between form and spirit. Your work feels like a conversation between earth and imagination, between fire and tenderness. It holds the same mystery found in ancient ceremonial vessels — a celebration of life, of nature, and of the deep connection between humans and all living beings. I’m grateful for what your hands and heart bring into being — for the lightness, the depth, the courage to let fire finish what you began. There is such wisdom in that trust — the wisdom of an artist who allows the world to collaborate in creation.Your art reminds me that beauty is born not from perfection, but from the dialogue between intention and chance, between the artist and the elements. I showed your sculptures to my little granddaughter, Liliana. She has recently started to bring clay to life herself — her attempts are simple, perhaps clumsy, but to me they are wonderful and full of magic. In her small hands, the clay becomes an animal, a tiny house, sometimes even a friend. I wanted her to see what the hands of a sensitive and imaginative person can create — how ordinary clay can be transformed into something truly extraordinary. I hope one day Liliana and I will have the chance to see your works in person.

With admiration and warmth

Wiktor Franczyszyn – December, 2025

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FROM NOEL BAILEY’S WORKSHOP – 4/2024

Yes, what a fantastic workshop! It’s always so hard to leave the clay bubble that Alison facilitates and pop back into “real life”.  There were so many amazing takeaways that will change the way I think of clay and certainly the way I work with it. Thanks Alison for being the best hostess. Thank you Noel for all of the inspiration, the well-explained demonstrations, the hands-on help and your generous, open spirit. 

Michael Cole 

4/9/2024

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I loved the workshop and am ready for us all to do it again this weekend :). I have been scraping and pinching like never before since I got home! Thank you Noel for your brilliance and humor, for freely sharing your ideas and approaches, and for answering my 10,000 questions. The only problem is that I tried to put my new Noel Bailey mug on the shelf and all my other mugs felt really embarrassed. Now I have to keep it in a separate place. And eternal thanks to Alison and Steve for planning and hosting the whole experience! Wonderful as always!

Deborah Skydell

4/9/2024

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I can only echo what all of you have said already – what a great experience! Noel was a fantastic and generous teacher, Alison was a fabulous hostess, and you all were an invigorating group of people that I thoroughly enjoyed spending four fabulous days with! And I’m very much looking forward to coming back to Alison’s studio for more workshops! 

Peter Kosa

4/9/2024

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Noel was a great teacher, the group was fun and Alison’s chocolate chip cookies were spectacular. Hope to give my hax a workout soon.

Barbara Schatz

4/9/2024

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What a great experience.  Both you and Noel made the 4 days so enjoyable and special.   Also, a great group.  I hope to be back to your studio again soon.

Carrie Rosenfeld

4/9/2024

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I enjoyed the whole experience, including the snow.  Didn’t that just make the trip a better experience with everything coated in white to start that journey?  Most definitely appreciate you and Noel’s generosity of spirit. I already had a number of pieces from Noel but now I can explain the complexity of the forms that seem so simple and elegant.  I think the 4-day workshop was a perfect way to immerse myself in a process with a very different outcome from my usual work. A new handle form is in the works…after much more practice!  Loved all the free tips from everyone and I see a few new tools coming to my studio–especially that awl!

Dorrie Sullivan

4/9/2042

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Thank you very much Alison and Noel for your generosity and patience!  It was such a wonderful workshop and learning experience.

Pamela Barclay

4/9/2024

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What a wonderful four days immersed in clay! Thank you Noel for the inspiration and graciously sharing your knowledge, stories and techniques! I learned so much. (I began a 30 day pinch pot challenge for myself to heighten my analysis skills. I’m a bit goal oriented😏) Thank you Alison for providing a great space and comfortable environment to learn. And of course those delicious cookies added a special touch! I am so grateful for the experience and the great group of people I met in this workshop. I truly hope our paths will cross again soon. 

Diane Doubleday

4/12/2024

FROM MISSY STEVENS’ WORKSHOP – 4/2024

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I wanted to thank you for your hospitality and creating such a wonderful space for the community. It is so beautiful there, what an amazing place to spend time and learn! I’m looking forward to returning one day for another workshop!  

Sandra Lee

5/22/2024

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Highlights from an amazing four-day workshop with master potter Ken Matsuzaki from Japan that was held at the wonderful Alison Palmer Studio last weekend. Matsuzaki-sensei has had a significant influence on my journey in clay since my first workshop with him in 2018 when I was very new to ceramics. Coming back into his sphere six years later, with a bit more experience under my built, was wonderful. Thank you, Sensei for your inspiration, generosity, guidance and strategic hugs and nudges (of the clay, of course). It was an unforgettable experience.

Judy Weddle

5/25/2024

I’m still glowing from our last workshop!  What a wonderful experience. I can’t thank you enough for all the support you have given to me personally and to the group. The environment you have created is simply and wonderfully perfect.

Judy Weddle

6/10/2024

STEVEN HILL’S JOURNEY WORKSHOP – 5/2024:

This past weekend was the final session of Steven Hill’s Journey Workshop 2023-2024 that I have been participating in for the last year. The culminating event was a wonderful group exhibition in which 15 of the participants had the opportunity to put our work on display and celebrate our collective and individual achievements. The entire workshop, led by Steven Hill and Jon Townley was a remarkable experience. I am so grateful to Steven and Jon for all their guidance and support and to the very special group of people who traveled with me. And also to Alison Palmer who organized and hosted us at her wonderful studio in Connecticut that I now consider my second home. What an experience!

Judy Weddle

June 3, 2024

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Alison Palmer was a gracious hostess and, of course, her studio and serene setting are hidden gems in the woods. Steven Hill and Jon Townley, with their combined design, pottery, and teaching experience are exceptional mentors for ceramic artists and potters. I can’t thank them enough for this amazing experience.

Jennifer Hill Chrisman

June 3, 2025

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Thanks, Alison and Steve. It was an astonishing year for me. You are the host and hostess with the MOST! Look forward to my next experience at your studio. Thanks for all you do for all of us!

Michael Cole

June 5, 2024

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The final show from the Journey workshop with Steven Hill Pottery . I am so grateful for the insights and camaraderie! The Alison Palmer Studio was the perfect place for our workshop!

Steve Sitrin

June 7, 2024

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CANDICE METHE WORKSHOP – 6/2024

Thank you, Alison.  It was a fantastic experience, and great to meet everyone.  Candace, you are a rock star. Nancy and I made it back to Tulsa around 11:30 pm last night. Thankfully, all of my pieces that I carried on (greenware and fired) made it home safely in my carry-on.  I’m so pumped to keep making using the techniques we learned. Y’all  please contact us if you are ever in Tulsa.  We can show you around a vibrant art scene!

Beth Brady-Edwards

June 27,2024

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Thank you so much for hosting this amazing workshop. It was truly fabulous, and inspiring, and exactly what I needed in this year of transition and exploration I’ve given myself. Plus, your space is amazing. I just signed up for the Hillary Kane workshop in October, and my friend Carrie Rubino who was with me this past weekend is signing up alongside me. I am already excited to come back, and you’ll see plenty more of me in the future I am sure. So happy to have found your amazing studio!

Kimberly Allison

June 27, 2024

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It was great to meet you and spend time in your gorgeous studio.

Mary Delmege

June 27, 2024

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Thank you so much for opening up your land for the workshops. I’ve loved being here! Thank you for your kindness, clarity, organization and care as you hosted this awesome workshop! I learned a lot and made wonderful connections. Thank you!

Jess

TED NEAL WORKSHOP -7/2024

I just wanted to say that as I continue to tell people the story of the amazing workshop I attended, a key piece of that story is always the wonderful people I met there. 🙂 

Jeanine Caruso – 7/2024

HILLARY KANE WORKSHOP – 3/2025

Alison,

I cannot thank you enough for such a wonderful clay workshop. To be honest, I had been thinking of giving up on clay because I had been so unmotivated.  But the time with you, other students and especially Hillary rejuvenated me and reminded me why I have so loved working in clay.  I am so angry—for you and Steve—at your neighbors; glad it looks like it will work out, and completely understand your unwillingness to pay for insurance that has nothing to do with your land-use. I’ve been trying hard to think of something you could offer them that wouldn’t be a burden on you and might make them go away—but, honestly, I can’t! All I can do is thank you for what you do and send good vibes your way.

I very much hope to return for another workshop.

Take care,

elaine

Elaine Ingulli

Professor Emerita of Business Law

Stockton University

Galloway, NJ 08205

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The workshop was just phenomenal, i think every one of us got do much out of it- thanks for making it happen and look forward to more in the future. 

Wish i’d taken more photos- here are a few. 

Love to everyone – Lisa 

Lisa Kaye

Yes, the workshop was extremely inspiring. I just hope you are able to keep having workshops. I can’t figure out why they think kilns cause fires, I am sure all your kilns are well vented and you should be able to share all the safety securities. 

Keep on fighting and stay strong.

Rosario

On Sat, Mar 22, 2025 at 4:19 PM Nina F. Ryan <ninafryan@gmail.com> wrote:

Alison,  thank you.  I hope you’re able to keep your workshops going.  They’ve been invaluable to me.  

And superb is the word for Hillary – thank you for an amazing 5 days Hillary.  And I hope we all stay in touch and send photos of our work.  It was wonderful to meet everyone.

xo Nina

Nina Ryan

ninafryan@gmail.com

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Hi everybody,

The workshop was transformational for me. I have never worked that big, never with coils, and never abstract. Hillary, you provided me the inspiration and support for me put my ego aside and to take risks. And you stepped in whenever  you saw me in emergency mode and guided me in a project that was so over my head. So many times I was on the brink of giving up, but I think enduring that panic and hesitation with your help, I actually survived the day and have developed so much more confidence.  Thank you so much Hillary!  

Alison, your strength and serenity despite so much pressure from your neighbors was remarkable. You are a true role model in your ability to cope with so much stress and yet be so warm and welcoming at the same time. Both you and Hillary are inspirational role models  to me in your tenacity, expertise and solid convictions. And your studio is an absolute dreamscape! 

It was also wonderful for me to work in a studio with experienced, interesting and energetic women. When I got into ceramics about three years ago I wasn’t sure if this was the “thing” I wanted to pursue forever, but meeting all of you, and seeing your spirited talent, joyous embrace of clay, and dedication to your work has convinced me I’m full into this thing to the end.

xxoo Barbara

Barbara Al-Haffar

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Hi all,

The workshop with Hillary was invaluable to me…learning new approaches to working with clay and feeling a renewed inspiration! Walking on the beach yesterday, looking for maquettes (had to look up the spelling). A new way for me…

I was also inspired by everyone’s work, so much talent.

Hillary, your sculptures and teaching are so inspiring. I am very grateful for how you brought your full self, and shared deeply.

Alison, I appreciate how naturally you held us all in your space, it felt like a warm embrace. I hope things work out for you, as they should.

Nancy Cahan

TOMOO HAMADA WORKSHOP – MAY 2025

LINDA CHRISTIANSON WORKSHOP – MAY, 2025

Thank you Alison for hosting this amazing experience with Linda Christenson and a great group of fellow potters.  My spirits have been lifted sky high and I’m soaring.  Thank you everyone for your loving support and generosity.  I love pottery and potters.  Kileh

Kileh Friedman

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This clay thing isn’t about what I make, but about what I make of it – seeing, looking, practicing patience, mostly learning new questions. I had no idea it would bring me so much laughing, real hugs, and definitely, optimism. Thank you my new friends and especially Linda whose giving of it all inspired the generosity of us all. And thank you Alison Palmer for setting the stage – your caring was felt.

Margo Halverson

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Hi everyone 

What a wonderful experience!!!! I’m proud to say I trimmed and finished all my pots I brought home. I suppose I have started my daily discipline?

Thank you Linda! Thank you Alison!

Francesca Robledo

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JEN ALLEN WORKSHOP – JULY, 2025

Just returned home from an incredible 4days teaching at The Alison Palmer Studio in Beautiful Kent, CT. Sixteen incredible participants took a guided journey with me. The room was buzzing with creativity and wonder and excitement. The group was supportive and friendly and encouraging. We learned a lot through our successes but more from our failures. These are the moments I live for. To be able to engage and lift up a community of learners. Thank you to Alison and Steve for hosting it at your beautiful home and studio and to Karen, my walking buddy and new dear friend, and to all the incredible participants I got to share this time and space with: Michael, Lori, Becky, Beky, Liz, Mara, Karley, Celia, Steven, Julie, Amy, Terry, Francesca, Deborah and Marcie. I’ll be back in 2027 and can’t wait!

Jen Allen

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Hi Alison!

Thank you so much for having us over the weekend! It was an amazing workshop and so fun to spend time in the wonderful space you have created! I hope our paths will cross again soon! 

Best,

Celia Feldberg

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Thank you Alison for being such a welcoming and gracious host.  Isn’t spending time with other potters just the best!?!

Until next time – be well, get messy, make pots!

Julie Buyon

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Thank you!  I really enjoyed the workshop!  So glad to be a participant with this wonderful group and the amazing teacher, Jen Allen.  

Warmly,

Mara Gross

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JAMES GUGGINA WORKSHOP – OCTOBER, 2025

Thank you Alison for being a great host.  Thank you Jamie–the workshop was an enriching experience for me on every level.  I learned a great deal from you.  I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of you on this e-mail for sharing the experience.  You were all kind and generous and it was lovely spending time with you and getting to know you.  I hope I see all of you again.  

Eva M. DeFranco

It was a wonderful three days!
Thank you Jamie!
Thank you Alison!
Lisa Houck

MISCELLANEOUS

Hello! I’m a teacher at IDEA Edgeciff in Texas –  I just thought I’d share with you some student work, they picked you as their master artist to emulate for one of my sculpture assignments! Have a great day!