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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Studio12 –Paint Your Own Pottery celebrates their second year on Hatteras Island helping families create great art. The owners, husband and wife team Gary and Carolyn Schena are also celebrating their recent award for their ceramic tile mural from the 2004 Beach Book Competition.

STUDIO 12, located at milepost 55 and a half in Avon, NC opened its doors on March 30, 2004. Part of a growing nationwide trend, this paint–your –own pottery studio offers a creative alternative for family fun. "We have designed our studio to be a wonderful place to gather as a family and create great memories together," states Carolyn Schena, co-owner with her husband Gary of STUDIO 12. "No creative or artistic ability is required to have fun," notes Carolyn. "We work hard to ensure that "visiting artist" relax and enjoy the process of making one-of –a kind ceramics pieces that they will treasure just as much as the time spent together making them." During the summer STUDIO 12 also offers classes on making beach scenes giving detailed instruction and hands-on coaching so that participants come away with finished works that they are often shocked that they created.

During the shoulder and off seasons the couple focuses on their own works of art which are quickly making a splash in the local arts community. Their piece "Green and Blue Spaces," a large hand painted tile mural received the merit award during the 2004 Beach Book Competition. "We had a lot of fun creating the Green and Blue Spaces mural," Gary states "It reflects what we tell our customers everyday, that when you relax and have fun you will love what you make, and it will be beautiful." The couple has created a smaller version of the award winning mural and inlays the tiles into end tables that Gary hand crafts. Helping others have fun with ceramics is why Gary and Carolyn opened STUDIO 12.

And at Studio 12 it’s easy to learn and explore the ceramic arts. Here’s how:

~ First select "bisque" from studio shelves. Bisque is clay that has been formed and fired once to make ready for painting. Studio 12 offers a wide range of bisque that appeals to every member of the family- including coffee mugs, banks, plates, jewelry boxes, bird houses, and so much more.

~ Second, select colors and plan the design. Owners Carolyn and Gary Schena are ready to helping visitors with choosing colors, planning a design and using simple design tools such as sponges, stencils, stamps and transfer paper.

~ Third, relax, paint and enjoy! Families, co-workers and friends find that time spent at a ceramic studio’s painting tables is relaxing and rejuvenating.

~ Fourth, leave painted pieces at the studio where they will be dipped in clear glaze and fired in the studio’s kiln.

~Finally, return a few days later to retrieve your fabulous creations. STUDIO 12 can also ship finished pieces to out-of town painters.

Carolyn and Gary’s hand painted ceramics can be scene at the Ghost Fleet Gallery, Sea and Sounds Gallery, and the Gaskins Gallery.

STUDIO 12 is located at milepost 55 and a half in Avon just north of the Subway sandwich shop.

Send mail to info@studio12hatteras.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 12/18/07