THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 13, 1994 TAG: 9411110312
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Rebecca A. Myers
LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
If Harriette Laskin can mold works of art out of clay, is it possible for her to mold the inartistic into budding sculptors?
``If a person has an interest, they're going to do quite well,'' said Laskin, associate professor of art at the Portsmouth campus of Tidewater Community College.
Laskin should know. She's been teaching pottery, design and art history for 22 years. And when TCC's new art school opens in January, Laskin will be in charge of its pottery department.
``I think it's going to be fantastic to be down there with the museum across the way and the Children's Museum and Olde Towne Gallery,'' she said. ``All of the people who work in the Downtown area will be able to come in and see us and see what we have to offer.''
Laskin's interest in art started as a student at Princess Anne High School and blossomed at Madison College (now James Madison University).
``I wasn't planning to go into art. I'd thought about being an elementary education teacher, but then when I got into college, I was very impressed with one of my professors and she made it very exciting, and I changed my curriculum and went into art,'' she said.
When she's not creating works of art, Laskin is collecting it. She's currently in the process of redecorating her Churchland home.
``My husband and I love collecting pottery and artwork from other people. My walls and shelves are filled with my work as well as the work of others,'' she said.
Next weekend, Laskin will display her pottery in the Gallery Art Show, a holiday show and sale featuring the works of more than 50 artists. The art includes photography, pottery, drawings, furniture, jewelry, painting, printmaking, fiber, mixed media, folk art and sculpture.
``I'll be displaying two types of pottery: One's a hand-built pottery that I call my earth series. It's a dark brown clay with what looks like strata, earthy strata, running through it,'' she said. ``The other is a patchwork quilt pattern. It's small, white, wheel-thrown pieces with multi-colored patterns running around the middle.''
Laskin's work will sell from $15 to $75 each.
``The patchwork pieces are little vases and bottles,'' she said. ``The earth series can be functional. They have lids that go on them, but they'd probably be more decorative.''
In its first year last November, the Gallery Art Show produced sales of more than $16,000 for participating artists.
The show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at Trinity Episcopal Church, High and Court streets. Patrons are asked to use the King Street entrance. Admission is free.
Name: Harriette C.F. Laskin
Neighborhood: Churchland
Number of years in Portsmouth: 22
Birthplace: Norfolk
Birthdate: July 6, 1942
Occupation: Associate professor of art
What other job than your own would you like? National park guide/ranger or architect
Marital Status: Married
Children: Gary, 21, and Dorothy, 16
Fondest childhood memory: While fishing with my dad on the Chesapeake Bay, we got into a school of croakers and hauled in two at a time until the bottom of the boat was full.
What song or book title best describes your life? ``I Got to Be Me''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? Rolls Royce - but more than likely I would invest the winnings.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? No one. I'm content being me.
Biggest accomplishment: Remodeling the interior of my home
Most embarrassing moment: Bouncing down a flight of stairs on my rump
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My shyness
Perfect way to spend the day: Lying in a hammock, reading a good book and drinking iced tea
I can't resist: Doughnuts
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Beijing and Lobscouser
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Home
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: The division of our population
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
Have our citizens work together to make our city an influence in the state
Revamp our school system and get it into the 21st century
Continue to restore the buildings Downtown to make it attractive
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? I like being able to find things easily ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Harriette Laskin
by CNB