Nature's Table - A Two-Person Show at Art Work
Explore Nature's Table, where Cynthia Oswald and Jackie Henisee combine the beauty of custom ceramic artistry with custom linen designs and botanical watercolors to celebrate nature’s splendor and the personal journeys that shape our everyday lives. See their solo at Art Work Gallery + Meeting Space in October 2024.
Opening Reception: 10/4/24 from 5:30-8:30 PM
Location: 213 Church Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460
October Gallery Hours
10/4/24 | Opening Reception 5:30-8:30 p.m. - Guest Phoenixville Honey
10/6/24 | Open Hours & Artist Demos 11:00-5:00 p.m. - PXV Art Walk
10/11/24 | Open Hours 5:30-8:30 p.m. - Guest French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust: Crafting a Pollinator Garden
10/12/24 | Open Hours 3:00-7:00 p.m.
10/19/24 | Open Hours 3:00-7:00 p.m.
10/25/24 | Closing Reception 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Photography by Tina Crespo
Artist Bios
Cynthia Oswald
Cynthia Oswald grew up surrounded by the vibrant fields of her parents’ home in northern Chester County, where her love for nature and creativity first blossomed. Now residing and creating in her Phoenixville, PA studio, she blends tactile and digital mediums to create art and surface pattern designs. Cynthia holds an MFA in Communication Design from Kutztown University and a Post Baccalaureate Graduate Certificate from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. In addition to crafting art and designs for the home, she runs a boutique branding agency. Her creations celebrate the beauty and abundance of nature, aiming to bring more positivity and moments of presence into our everyday lives. In the upcoming show, she will feature collaborative custom bowls painted with landscapes, linen wall hangings with botanical watercolors, and original watercolors as part of the "Nature's Table" theme. Cynthia's work reflects her deep appreciation for nature's beauty, rooted in her childhood experiences and personal memories.
Jackie Henisee
Jackie Henisee is a Chester County ceramicist who finds inspiration in her adventures exploring the outdoors with her pup, Slip. She grew up in a creatively encouraging home and was engaged with the arts through middle school and high school. Jackie began her college education studying social work with a minor in fine art, then transferred to Philadelphia University (Philly U) in 2003 to study industrial design. As a young product designer, she thrived in creating aesthetic, functional, and ergonomic objects. A year after graduating, Jackie took a course in ceramics at a local art studio and discovered her true passion for clay. She creates her pottery both in her home studio in Malvern, PA, and at a local studio in Chester Springs, PA. Her work, characterized by natural forms and surface treatments, is brought to life through a variety of firing techniques. The wood firing process is the technique she is most drawn to, where the interplay of flame, ash, and salt adds a unique, spontaneous quality to each piece. Jackie’s love for clay, the clay community, and the discovery process of each firing continues to grow with each creation.
Artist Statement
Cynthia Oswald
My work is a dynamic blend of art and design, inspired by the natural world and personal memories. Growing up surrounded by farm fields and nature preserves instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature’s beauty, which now inspires a large part of my work. I use both tactile and digital mediums to create a diverse range of works, including custom linens, botanical watercolors, and intricate illustrations. For this show, I collaborated with Jackie Henisee on custom hand-painted bowls, linen napkins, linen wall hangings, and original watercolors—all under the theme of "Nature's Table." Through my art, I aim to celebrate the beauty and abundance of nature, bringing positivity and presence into our everyday lives.
Jackie Henisee
Working with clay is a journey of discovery, where each firing reveals new surprises. My ceramics are a reflection of my explorations in nature, capturing the textures, forms, and colors observed during my adventures with my pup, Slip. The process begins with a stoneware clay, which I throw on a wheel, followed by carving and texturizing the piece before subjecting it to the transformative power of an atmospheric kiln. The flames, ash, soda and salt interact with the raw clay and glazes, creating unique, spontaneous effects that make each piece one-of-a-kind. For this show, I collaborated with Cynthia Oswald, blending our artistic visions in custom bowls that celebrate nature’s landscapes. Through my pottery, I aim to connect people with the natural world, highlighting the beauty and unpredictability of my creative process.
Learn more about the show in an interview with Cynthia Oswald.
Art Work Gallery Location: 213 Church Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460
Parking: Find where to park.
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