Peters Valley School of Craft
Peters Valley is nestled within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Sandyston, NJ. This region, once home to small towns and residences, was slated for flooding when a dam was proposed. Although the dam was never built, the government evacuated the area, which has since been reclaimed by nature, with remnants of abandoned homes quietly blending into the forested landscape. Peters Valley sits within this serene, secluded environment and offers multiple buildings dedicated to studios for various media, offices, and rustic housing.
During the summer months, the campus buzzes with energy as artists from across the country gather to teach and attend workshops. In the fall, when I visited, the pace slows considerably. The residency program offers 1-2 ceramic artists an opportunity to stay for 2-4 weeks, providing an intimate and focused environment.
The studio boasts a range of kilns, including a large Anagama wood kiln, a Noborigama wood kiln, a gas kiln, a soda kiln, and several electric kilns. The wood kilns carry rich histories—the Noborigama was constructed by Ruggles and Rankin of Rock Creek Pottery, and the Anagama was built by Japanese kiln master Katsuyuki Sakazume. Plans for renovations and repairs to the Anagama are underway, as the kiln has experienced wear over the years. This kiln holds the distinction of being the second public Anagama kiln built in the United States. The studio walls are lined with beautiful bisque ware left behind by many esteemed educators and artists who have passed through the workshops over the years. Having heard so much about Peters Valley, I was thrilled to experience it firsthand and hope to fire the Noborigama someday.
Overall, the residency is ideal for artists who arrive with a clear and focused goal. Given the short 2-4 week timeframe, it’s best to be ready to work efficiently and with intention. Wood firing is unlikely during the residency due to the scale and resources required, so most artists rely on the gas or soda kilns to finish their work. The fall season is quiet, and residents should be prepared for a peaceful, somewhat secluded experience surrounded by trees, rivers, hills, and mountains, paired with simple, rustic housing.
