High hopes invested in Riddle Arts Guild

Spring hit Riddle early on a recent afternoon at Clay Potential Pottery, and sun rays streamed through the windows, intercepted by stoneware and uniquely-fired custom tiles lining the quaint art studio.

Time was consumed by laughter as the owner of the studio, Carol Ratliff, and her fellow artisans, Debra Gaedecke, Janet Impson and Ruth Holland, sat at a table trying to explain their desire to promote Riddle as one of the main art and craft destinations in Southern Oregon.

Staying on topic isn’t an easy feat for four women in their 50s who share the same passion.

More than once, they strayed from the matter at hand and were swept into conversation about a variety of related subjects: how art has touched each of them individually; its therapeutic nature; the textures of different mediums; the joys and struggles of ingenuity in a town with a population of slightly more than 1,000 people. They lingered longest on the inspiration gained from the awe of a child who realizes what it’s like for the first time to be a creator.

The purpose of the meeting, however, was to discuss the beginnings of the Riddle Art Guild, with the aim of enhancing the economic well-being of all members as well as the communities surrounding Riddle.

“We want to be a destination spot in Southern Oregon,” said Gaedecke, as Impson added, “We want this town to perk up — we’re one of the hidden treasures of this area.”

All four of the women are crafty. Ratliff made the ceramic rose-colored disks hanging from her ears. Gaedecke’s mediums of choice include buckskins, beads and fabrics. Impson paints and makes jewelry. And Holland owns Thistleberries Old Town Quilt Shop in Riddle and designs Alaskan dolls. The idea for an art guild was conceived at a chamber of commerce meeting. Members there were discussing what they could do to draw tourists to the small town, and how to encourage people who live in Riddle to shop in Riddle.

For Ratliff, it made sense. New to Oregon from San Diego, she opened Clay Potential Pottery last April. She was very active in California with different arts organizations and a potters guild. Moving to Riddle presented her with a chance to own her own shop, and the proposition for an art guild came to her while she was learning to operate her own business.

“It was pointed out that the area is just rich with artists,” said Ratliff. “And that’s when we thought about the guild.”

At about the same time Ratliff was opening her shop, Impson and her husband were launching a computer store and Holland was starting the Thistleberries shop, all on the same street. The three women organized a grand opening for the businesses; it soon turned into a community event, now known as Spring Happenings, an annual mini-fair in Riddle.

The success of the combined efforts has given the four women the confidence to aim high and to work with the community to reach their goals.

So you know ... The next Riddle Art Guild meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at Clay Potential Pottery, 219 Main St., Riddle. The committee would like to invite all South County artisans who are interested in becoming an active part of forming this new guild. Information: 874-3931.

“I like to refer to it as a wagon wheel. The art guild is the hub and each spoke is an important part of keeping the wheel in balance,” said Holland. “If you get a group of people together, you have a wealth of knowledge.”

Nearly 20 interested people appeared at the first art guild meeting. Since then, attendance has trickled down to five or six. But the committee is moving forward, and will be discussing bylaws at its next meeting. Its members are also actively searching for a gallery space; one of their goals is to showcase local art and to offer that opportunity to those who don’t have anywhere to display their work.

They also got to thinking about incorporating other valley activities into the guild.

“What are we rich in, what do we want to bring people here to see?” said Ratliff, referring to the idea of incorporating wine and historic tours into the gallery as well.

The group is promoting the art guild to create opportunities for members to sell art, to share mutual ideas and education through workshops and to bring together all levels of talent in arts and crafts.

Last on its mission statement: to “enjoy our Guild member friends to the fullest.”



• You can reach reporter Cara Pallone at 957-4208 or by e-mail at cpallone@newsreview.info.