FOXBURG, Pa. (EYT) – Celebrating 15 years of fostering local artists, the Red Brick Gallery and Gift Shop will host an upcoming exhibit by Clarion County resident Ann Harting, a potter and fiber artist. Her work beautifully connects art and nature, a theme the gallery has championed since its inception, offering viewers an immersive experience where culture and nature converge in its stunning riverside setting.
Article by Katherine Soroka

Describing this intrinsic connection in her exhibit, “Rooted Forms: Pottery & Fiber from Nature,” Ann Harting said, “In essence, my art is a testament to the symbiotic relationship between creativity and nature, a journey marked by exploration, discovery, and a deep reverence for the world around me. I invite viewers to appreciate the beauty of the natural world through my pieces.”


Nature’s influence takes center stage in this exhibition, where pottery and fiber arts are combined to create captivating pieces rooted in the natural world. Through clay and fiber, Harting expresses the beauty and resilience of nature, offering viewers a fresh perspective on nature’s rhythms and forms.

The exhibit runs weekends from Friday, August 22, to Sunday, September 28, with the opening wine and cheese reception on Sunday, September 14, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., after celebrated theatre organist Clark Wilson’s Wurlitzer 2:00 p.m. concert and the Buster Keaton silent movie, “Steamboat Bill, Jr.” Tickets are $25, ARCA Members $20, and Students $5. There is no admission fee to visit the gallery.

Artist Statement
Describing her relationship with the natural world, Ann Harting said, “Nature serves as inspiration in my life, infusing my art with its boundless beauty. Whether captivated by the vivid hues of a cardinal’s feathers or the timeless grace of an aging tree stump, I pause to absorb the profound beauty that surrounds me.”
Ann’s love of nature shines through in many of her pottery pieces and weavings. Natural elements can often be found within her pieces, and her pottery and fiber art combined into one. Employing hand-building techniques, Ann meticulously crafts each clay piece, experimenting with a diverse array of glazes and stains. She even sources clay from her own backyard, infusing her work with a sense of place and authenticity. Beyond her studio, Ann’s passion for art extends to collaborating with designers worldwide, refining knitting patterns for publication.


Describing her inspiration and artistic journey, Harting said, “Since childhood, fiber arts have been a passion, offering me the joy of transforming simple materials like fabric, yarn, and wool into something entirely new. When I ventured into clay work, it introduced a fresh dimension to my creative pursuits.”

“In my pottery, I gravitate towards hand-building techniques rooted in both functionality and sculptural expression. I revel in crafting earthy, organic forms, often enriching pieces with pressed flora and intricate carvings. Through the application of glazes and stains, I strive to harmonize these textures, lines, and marks, imbuing each piece with a distinctive narrative.
“Weaving also holds a special place in my artistic repertoire, drawing me to the intricate beauty of flowers and trees, both in their physical presence and their hues. The rhythmic process of weaving offers a delicate balance of structure and freedom, as the design gradually unfolds with each pass of the shuttle.

“While I may begin with a rough idea, I relinquish control to the medium, allowing it to guide me to completion. Whether at the loom or shaping clay, I cherish the moments of quiet contemplation, allowing my hands to translate the whispers of my thoughts into tangible expressions.”
About the Artist
Now living in the Cook Forest area, Ann Harting’s mother fostered her creativity from an early age, supplying her with a multitude of crafting supplies. She began sewing at the age of seven, inspired by her mother, an accomplished seamstress and quilter, and grandmother, a dance costume and pageant dress designer. A skilled seamstress in her own right – she even designed her own wedding gown and her children’s christening attire.
In her previous role as operations manager at an art gallery/teaching center in Pittsburgh, Ann managed daily operations, created all print publications, maintained digital platforms, assisted with curating exhibitions, and taught classes in several mediums, including weaving, knitting, and fused glass.
Ann described her move from the professional art world in Pittsburgh to work with fellow artists in Clarion County.
“After years as an operations manager at a Pittsburgh art gallery, joining the Red Brick Gallery as a cooperative artist has been incredibly rewarding — the artists are supportive and truly inspiring. The Clarion County art scene may be smaller, but it’s vibrant, talented, and genuinely collaborative — it’s been an inspiring place to create and connect.”

In Clarion County, Ann is volunteering for United in the Arts and the Autumn Leaf Festival Art Show Committee. Ann showed her art and helped organize the April Artists Showcase & Reception featuring Clarion County Artists in The Haskell House through United in the Arts, a committee of the United Way of Clarion County. Ann is also working part-time for the United Way as Grants Administrator of the Art Grants Program.

Residing on a forested property in Clarion County, Ann volunteers to support the natural world that serves as her source of inspiration. As a dedicated board member of the non-profit, Friends of Cook Forest, she fundraises for them, designs all their graphic publications, manages their website, does their social media/marketing, and crafts with children during the annual Spooky Nights Fundraiser.

Ann exhibits her work regularly at galleries in western Pennsylvania, where she has won numerous awards for her pottery and weavings. She has also participated in solo shows and “by invitation only” shows with a select number of artists. Her art is primarily available at the Red Brick Gallery where she is a Cooperative Artist, The Gallery at New Bethlehem Town Center, and the Sawmill Center for the Arts.
When she’s not immersed in her creative endeavors, Ann can be found indulging her culinary passions, exploring the forest with her husband and dogs, or enhancing the websites she manages. Harting’s website is https://artfulcook.weebly.com
The Red Brick Gallery is located at 17 Main Street, Foxburg, Pa., and summer weekend hours are Friday 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5:00 p.m. Advance appointments outside regular hours are available by reservation. For more information, call 724-659-3153.
