Burlington Artist Stays Playful
by Kirt Zimmer
Bekah Perks didn't know it at the age of seven, but that pottery
course her mother had enrolled her in would change her life.
The family had just moved to Middlebury, Vt., from a commune in the Adirondacks.
Mom thought Bekah should be introduced to folks outside the hippy community
and learn to socialize with other kids. A children's handbuilding course
at the then newly-formed Frog Hollow Craft Center seemed perfect.
That was in 1973. Now, 23 years later, Bekah is a professional craftsperson,
working with clay every day. And although she is certainly sociable, Bekah
is like many craftspeople in that she works alone.
As she works on her ceramic tiles, jewelry, magnets and salt and pepper
shakers, she keeps in touch with the outside world by listening to books
on tape and the radio.
"That's the bad part, that there's no good office gossip here,"
she said. "But I listen to WCFE (public radio), and they're like my
co-workers. They have this call-in show, and for a while the only people
calling in were me, the chair-caner guy, and this lady who runs a diaper
service."
Bekah spends her days applying all those lessons she learned at the age
of seven.
After designing a three-dimensional model, she casts the shape into a plaster
mold. When that's been made, she pours slip (a mixture of water and clay)
into the mold. The water is absorbed into the plaster, leaving a hollow
piece of clay in the shape of the original model. Rough edges are smoothed
out; feet and ears are added where necessary, and color underglazes are
painted on before the kiln firing. Flat pieces like tiles are easier, as
they don't require any casting.
The most striking elements of Bekah's work are her bold color choices and
playful designs.
Matisse-like dogs and cats laugh and lounge beneath smiling moons. Pudgy
pigs are used to dispense salt and pepper. Even Bekah's trademark signature
is animated with eyes, hands and feet.
"They look just like what I did as a kid," she laughs sheepishly.
"I feel like if I'm going to paint tiles all day, then it better be
something I can smile at."
Although Bekah's work is certainly artistic, she doesn't like to call herself
an artist. And while most fine artists would never deign to make magnets,
Bekah can't resist.
"Crafts get seen by people," she says. "Art isn't always
as accessible."
But Bekah sees no reason why art should be presented or viewed as separate
or different from other occupations.
"I wish people would think of art as more doable," she says. "A
lot of people think you need some unusual talent to do it, but I think it's
just a normal thing."
At the age of 30, Bekah is an anomaly in Vermont's crafts community, which
is comprised largely of Baby Boomers. Despite the growing popularity of
crafts, "Generation X" seems to be leery of a profession where
pay can vary greatly depending on a number of factors.
"When I told people what I was going to do for a living, I did get
a lot of cynical responses like 'Good luck,"' says Bekah. "but
I don't care about making a lot of money anyway."
Sounds like some of those ideals from the commune remain intact.
Bekah Perks' work can be seen at Frog Hollow State Craft Centers. For more
information, call (802) 388-3I77.