Long time friends and collaborators Laurie Bieze, David Caradori, and Alan Servoss are joining forces once again for a high-calibur exhibition. Above: Servoss at Caradori’s studio.

If you make your way down to the corner of Short Street and Ferry Street in Eau Claire, you won’t find just anyone’s home. Since 1970, pottery has been fired up in this Shawtown neighborhood shop, now known as Caradori Pottery. The gallery is now filled with the work of craftspeople from across the region, from fine pottery and jewelry to paintings. Prior to the shop opening its doors, the local artists whose works are now featured were already sculpting, painting, and crafting their way through the art community. 

Local artist Laurie Bieze, who has been selling her pieces since 1964, will have her artwork featured alongside Alan Servoss and David Caradori’s works for what may be the last time this summer. The group has only done one show together in the past, even after being friends for 25 years. “[The first show] was so well received that we thought, well, we will do this again some day. Then Laurie was diagnosed with cancer, although she is making a remarkable recovery. So this is going to be more of a celebration show instead of a reunion,” says Servoss. 

The trio offers a variety of eye candy with (Laurie) Bieze mastering
the art of glass and sculpture, (David) Caradori handling the pottery and (Alan) Servoss excelling in painting.

The trio offers a variety of eye candy, with Bieze mastering the art of glass and sculpture, Caradori handling the pottery, and Servoss excelling in painting. Some of Bieze’s pieces have been strewn across the region; you may have seen them at St. Olaf Church, Chippewa Valley Technical College, or the Mayo Luther Maternity Ward. In addition, Servoss’s work can be found in over 15 books and magazines. Servoss says, “We’ve all more or less made our livings from our art…. it’s unusual for people to be able to say that. That and the fact that we’ve all been friends for so many years, we don’t usually show together… it’s sort of an unusual assortment of work.” 

Bieze, Caradori and Servoss’s work will be reunited in a unique kind of show at Caradori Pottery. The exhibit opens on July 21 from 12pm-4pm with an opportunity to meet the artists and munch on some free snacks. For those who can’t make the opening, the art will be displayed through the majority of August.