Yes, They Kiln: Scenes From the Penn South Ceramics Studio Holiday Sale

BY SCOTT STIFFLER | All year long, the Penn South Ceramics Studio (276 Ninth Ave.) is where developing and established artists turn lumps of clay into objects both decorative and functional. And come early December, their annual Holiday Sale serves as the discerning gift-giver’s reliable source of one-of-a-kind mugs, plates, bowls, trays, vases, jewelry, and more.

As for what the makers take away, Studio member Judith Sokoloff says, “Making pottery is my sanity, as it is for many in our Studio community. We can exist in that other world where imagination manifests in building, shaping, texturing, coloring clay. A world of surprise, happy accidents, breakage. A connection to 25,000 years of pottery making. Mud, water, fire. The joy of creating something beautiful that someone can use or just enjoy looking at.” Studio member Fritzie Brown, who called the annual Holiday Sale “our event of the year, and great fun,” further noted, “Our studio, like ceramics itself, can be messy–but the outcomes are splendid.”

See below, pictoral proof of the above sentiments, culled from the Studio’s December 6 and 7 Holiday Sale. See anything you like? Send an email to pennsouthceramics@gmail.com. And moving forward, be mindful of early May, when the Studio’s other yearly sale sees their doors open just prior to Mother’s Day weekend…

Penn South Ceramics Studio member Beth Karhu (at left) and Richard Hopper, friend of the Studio, help sell Studio member Harold Gilstein’s pottery. | Photo by Dora Campbell

Penn South Ceramics Studio members Jenna Li (at left) and Grace Kong, with a display of their wares. | Photo by Dora Campbell

The work of Judith Sokoloff. | Photo courtesy of the artist

L to R: Frances M. Roberts and customer. | Photo by Judith Sokoloff

Rachel Majzel (second from right) with Studio member Phyllis Hoffman (third from right) and a shopper talk about her ceramic jewelry. | Photo by Richard B. Levine

The work of Frances Roberts, photographed by Richard B. Levine.

Table of Studio member Judith Sokoloff (behind shoppers) on left. | Photo by Richard B. Levine

In foreground, the pottery of Eddie Naftaly. | Photo by Richard B. Levine

Studio potter Harold Gilstein (second from right) and Richard Hopper (far right), assisting Harold, with Gilstein’s pottery in the foreground. | Photo by Richard B. Levine

Work by Fritzie Brown, courtesy of the artist.

Works by Judith Sokoloff, photo by Frances M. Roberts.

Studio member Harold Gilstein’s pottery. | Photo by Frances M. Roberts

Studio member Mikiko Nakayama’s pottery. | Photo by Frances M. Roberts

Studio member Eddie Naftaly’s pottery. | Photo by Frances M. Roberts

Jenna Li’s ring holders and trinket dishes. | Photo by Frances M. Roberts

Grace Kong’s pottery. | Photo by Frances M. Roberts

Studio member Rachel Majzel’s ceramic earrings. | Photo by Frances M. Roberts

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Yes, They Kiln: Scenes From the Penn South Ceramics Studio Holiday Sale is posted on December 30, 2025