ōtium
leisure; free time
undisturbed state of mind
a time to reflect and cultivate intellectual and creative interests
(Basically the Roman concept of retirement - first recorded usage 190 AD)
What is Otium?
Otium Ceramics & Studio is a multi-use space where professionally trained ceramic artist Lori Roderick teaches hand building and sells her work. Otium occupies the first floor of a house in the heart of the Augustana College Hilltop neighborhood. Small and old (c.1909) with a welcoming front porch and an awesome little yard, Otium fits right in with the eclectic, vibe of this Rock Island neighborhood.
Lori makes and sells one-of-a-kind hand built functional and sculptural earthenware pieces out of this cool, creative space. Stop by or contact her to browse, buy the perfect gift, sign up for a workshop or watch work in progress.
Hours of Operation:
I’m in at out of the studio most days. Check the calendar. I try to update it each week.
If I’m there, you are welcome to stop in. Otherwise, email me and set up a time to stop by. I’d love to see you!
Gallery
A collection of current and past work - for sale unless otherwise marked.
#1 Ponder Us; Edgewood Orchard Galleries, Door County, WI; $140 - SOLD
#2 Blue and Bluer Bowl; Edgewood Orchard Galleries, Door County, WI; $150 - SOLD
#3 Singular Horizon; 6.5" H x 9" W x 9" D; $150
#4 Midnight and the Moon with the Promise of Stars; 8" H x 9" W x 9" D; $125
#5 Watershed Moments, Edgewood Orchard Galleries, Door County, WI; $225
#6 Verdigris Centerpiece Bowl; 7.5" H x 12.5" W x 12.5" D; $175
#7 Cold Shoulder; 13.5" H x 8" W x 6"D; $225
#8 Beautiful Deflection; 13" H x 9.5" W x 5" D; $225
#9 Rock River Tributaries at Rock Island; 10" H x 12" W x 4"D; $225
#10 Complicated Up Do; 16" H x 4" W x 3.5" D; $150 (clay with woven reed)
#11 Bold Move; 13.5" H x 8" W x 5" D; $175
#12 I'm Coping Just Fine; 18" H x 5" W x 4" D; $250 (clay with woven reed)
#13 Forest Moss; 12" H x 8" W x 7" D; $150
#14 Contemplating Karma; 11" H x 9.5" W x 6.5" D; Edgewood Orchard Galleries, Door County, WI; $175
#15 Dawning; 6" H x 10" W x 10" D; $125
#16 Greenscape Centerpiece Plater; Edgewood Orchard Galleries, Door County, WI; $150 - SOLD
#17 Dip; Edgewood Orchard Galleries, Door County, WI; $155 - SOLD
#18 Backyard Beauties; size range 3" H - 8" H x 2" D; $20 each; this is a representative sample of what is available at Otium
#19 Woodnymph in a Funny Hat; 19" H x 7" W x 3.5" D; $200
#20 Oxbows, Knotholes and Other Worries; 12" H x 6" W x 6" D; $175
#21 Little Tug; Edgewood Orchard Galleries, Door County, WI; $125 - SOLD
#22 Confluence; 6" H X 7" W x 7" D; $125
#23 Meander; 5.5" H x 6.5" W x 6.5"D; $85
#24 Quietude; 8" H x 6.5" W x 6.5' D; $100
#25 Ripple Effect; 8" H x 5.5" W x 5.5" D; $100
#26 Streamlines; 8" H x 5.5"W x 5.5"D; $100
#27 Winsome Eddy; 5" H x 5" W x 5" D; $65
#28 Chaos Theory; 18" H x 8" W x 8" D; $250
Workshops //
Classes//
Events//
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Keep your plants company with a set of 3 mushroom PLANT PALS! $45
Thursday October 15th 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Adults - 1 spot left
Friday October 16th 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Adults - 4 spots left
Sunday October 18th 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Adults and Teens - 1 spot left
PINCH POT ZEN ($75 - includes two sessions)
Lower stress and get in the zone while learning the art and craft of pinch pot making and glazing.
This is a two session class. You must attend both. You will make a pair of pots one week and select your glazes and apply those the next.
Tuesday October 20th and Tuesday October 27 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Adults - 8 spots open
(TENTATIVE ADDITION) Thursday October 22nd and Thursday October 29th 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Adults - 8 spots open
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In time for the holidays! Hand build a special Christmas tree. $45
Thursday November 5th 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Adults - SOLD OUT
Friday November 6th 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Adults - 2 spots open
Tuesday November 10th 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Adults - 8 spots open
Tuesday November 17th 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Adults - 8 spots open
Thursday November 19th 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Adults - 8 spots open
Friday November 20th 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Adults - 8 spots open
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Otium will be open for your holiday shopping Saturday Dec. 5, 12, 19 10AM - 5PM.
Lots of items from $20-$50
10% off any purchase of $100 or more
P.S. There just might be cookies!
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Light up the dark days with a pair (matched or not) of slab built candle holders. Pierce them to let the light shine through!
Dates TBD
FAQs
HOW DO I REGISTER?
Email (otiumceramics@gmail.com) with your preferred day and time. I will confirm your reservation and send a reminder a few days before the event!
DO I NEED ANY EXPERIENCE?
Absolutely not! Everyone is welcome. I make pieces along with you so you see exactly how to complete each step.
WHEN AND HOW DO I PAY? Pay with cash, check, Venmo, Zelle or credit card when you arrive at the workshop or class.
WHAT IF THE WORKSHOP I WANT IS FULL?
Email me! I will keep a wait list. If there is enough interest I can add another date/time or if there is a cancellation I will contact you.
WHAT IF I HAVE TO CANCEL?
I know life gets in the way of things sometimes but please let me know as soon as possible. With only 8 spots in each workshop, I want to be able to offer your spot to someone else.
CAN I BOOK A WORKSHOP FOR A GROUP AT A DIFFERENT TIME?
YES! I’d love to help you create your own clay hand building workshop for a holiday party, birthday party (age 14+), office team building, gal pal get together or family gathering!
Email me at otiumceramics@gmail.com to plan a creative event specially for you.$360 for a group of 8.
Creative activity literally lowers cortisol levels. It’s science, people!
Workshop Details
Limit of 8 participants for each workshop.
Adults only for evening classes.
Sunday afternoons open to adults and teens.
Learn hand building techniques while I guide you throughout the session.
One session workshops ($45): You make the piece, I fire it, glaze it and fire it again. You can pick up the finished piece 2-3 weeks after the workshop.
Two session workshops ($75): You make the piece, I fire it. You come back and glaze the piece, I fire it again. You pick up the piece 1 week after the second session.
Register to reserve your seat! Email otiumceramics@gmail.com. Include name of the participant(s) and date of the workshop. Pay at the workshop. $45 or $75 (see specific workshops for pricing)Venmo, Zelle, Cash, Credit Card.
Class fee includes instruction, materials, tools and firings.
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Have a question or Looking to Purchase Pottery?
Send a message and let’s figure it out together.