Twenty passionate clay artists open their doors every Saturday from 11 to 5, welcoming visitors to the beautiful Guild Gallery filled with sparkling vases, bowls, jewelry and sculpture. Located in Berkeley’s West Artisan District for over 40 years, the Guild has been an anchor and shining star, pioneering in the craft revival movement on the West Coast that rose in the ‘70’s. Members fill the spacious warehouse with independent studios, each making their own signature form of clay, while maintaining a collective spirit and brilliantly organized community. The working building is transformed twice a year, in spring and holiday season for magnificent showcases of all members’ work.
Visitors delight in finding such a diverse array of ceramics, a true collection of modern day heirlooms to bring home. From traditional, elegant Asian porcelain glazed in translucent celadon or jewel-toned ruby red, to chic avant gard sculpted vessels— fish, dogs or pondering humans teetering on the edge of each well formed-cup, ceramic jewelry, ancient looking wood fired tumblers to die for, whimsical teapots and more, there is something for every unique taste.
Even amidst the remarkable and varied approaches to making pottery, sculpture and jewelry, Guild members hold true to two tenets: absolute excellence in craftsmanship, and a heartfelt commitment to customers of finding a treasure to bring home that offers the possibility of living with handmade beauty everyday.