An unexpected move for Slipstream Clay Studio has become an opportunity to add an artist gallery and a ceramic supply shop. The new shop at 1233 Main St, Philomath, Oregon 97370 is being called the Philomath Arts Building and houses all three art endeavors. Join us for a Grand Opening Celebration on October 4th, 2025 from 5-7pm and find us on the Philomath Open Studios Tour on the last two weekends in October.
The newly formed Green Heron Gallery occupies about ⅓ of the building and is co-operatively run by its artist members. Started with nine local painters, sculptors, ceramicists and mixed media artists, the gallery is changing and growing day by day. “We intend to add a rotating exhibition of artists from the Corvallis Art Guild and the Willamette Ceramics Guild, as well as an invited artist area. We want to keep the work fresh so that art lovers will stay engaged with our very talented art community” says Wilson. The current members are: Sandy Wilson, Jennifer Jo Deily, Avie Meadows, Beth Kattleman, Jess Felix, Vicki Wilson, Debra Garley, Jennifer Lommers and Sandy Roumagoux.
Slipstream Clay Studio students and members can be seen working away in the adjacent studio. Wilson is currently offering eight week courses and a series of one session “Try-It” classes. Registration is online at www.slipstreamclay.com. Since the studio has a limited capacity, those who can’t get into a class can order a take-home kit for a specific project. They can make a project with a video tutorial, or work independently. Firing is included.
Ceramics artists can also shop in the Slipstream supply store, located in the front of the studio. This store features Cone 6 Stoneware and porcelain clay and glazes. Slipstream is becoming a distributor for Georgies Ceramic and Clay in Portland, Oregon. “It’s a funny kind of full circle for me, having been employed by Georgies nearly 30 years ago, when I was in school, and then using these products ever since. I never thought I’d be at the register again.”, says Wilson.
How it happened: In June of this year, Vicki Wilson was celebrating one year in her Corvallis countryside ceramics teaching studio but already felt like she could do more in her new hometown. It started with the idea of a cooperatively run gallery space in a vacant property on Main St.-the former “Sew It Seams” fabric store. It was likely going to be short term, but within the week of a chance meeting with Autumn Peterson, owner of Summer Beam Books, a buyer had been found for the property. Christina White wanted to invest in Philomath Main Street and wanted to give Wilson the opportunity to bring an art presence to the building. Keys and paperwork were exchanged in just a few weeks and Wilson moved the ceramics studio portion in right away. Wilson remarks, “This felt like the stars aligning. I had to go for it. There was a place I remember from years ago called Mainly Clay in Farmville, Virginia. It’s a clay studio on the Main St of a small town with a gallery and supply shop. I remember it being such a hub for the community and I have dreamed of doing it ever since. I still can’t quite believe it’s happening!”