Where does creativity come from?
Ellen Silberlicht will share her journey of how her work, currently shown in the gallery, came into being. From creating the textured clay forms to the wet felted sculptural tops, it has taken some unexpected twists. She is always full of stories! Ellen will also include a wet felting demo and explain how she uses the many resists to achieve a variety of 3-D forms.
Free Event - Open to the Public
About the Artist:
Without the unwavering support of her parents, Ellen's creative path might have remained just a dream. Growing up in a rural setting, she was fortunate to be encouraged to explore her artistic instincts from an early age. When she boldly declared she wanted to be a potter as a child, her parents gently suggested a reality check before diving into a four-year commitment—how about trying a summer course first?
That spark turned into a flame at the Rhode Island School of Design, where Ellen threw her first lumps of clay. She returned home with some of the heaviest, most awkward pots imaginable-and a renewed fire in her heart.
"This is it," she declared with conviction, "This is what I want to do." Ellen's passion led her to The School for American Crafts at the Rochester Institute of Technology, followed by a transformative experience studying ceramics in Israel. Her path from there was anything but linear—but always vibrant. Through countless adventures and life lessons, Ellen found wisdom and inspiration in every twist and turn.
The Fiber Arts have been a quiet thread weaving through her life since the age of 12, when she received a Special Award at the 5th Biennial Exhibit of The Embroiderers Guild of America in New York City. Her hands have never stopped making. From working in a fine art foundry to surviving the "starving artist" years of the 1980s, Ellen eventually found her way to Lancaster in the early '90s, where she ran a small clothing business with a two-and-a-half person team and sold avant-garde designs at The American Craft Shows. She also taught art at Lancaster Country Day School, nurturing her own creative voice while inspiring others.
In 2000, Ellen returned to her hometown of Honesdale, PA, earning her teaching certification at age 44. There, she taught mostly pottery at the very high school she once attended-closing a meaningful circle. Lancaster has called her back, where today she can be found joyfully immersed in the creative life: making, sharing, and discovering beauty in the everyday.
Her work reflects a lifetime of exploration, resilience, and joyful creativity. Whether through clay, fiber, or mixed media, Ellen's exuberant spirit and fearless sense of play shine through every piece.