Elaine Futterman & Mike Allegretti

Elaine and Mike both became involved with clay through community college clay programs while employed as science educators.
In 1990 they constructed a studio and showroom on their property in Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast. At that time Elaine became a full time studio potter and Creek Clayworks became their home-based business. Mike was able to join her full time in the studio when he retired from teaching in 2002.
Numerous workshops and classes taken over the years as well as extensive travel in Asia and Europe have been major influences on their work. Elaine throws and alters her work while Mike is known for the slabware he creates on original forms.
Firing with cone 10 oxidation often requires an emphasis on decoration. Slip trailing, glaze trailing, wax resist, spraying and layering of glazes are used to enhance the surfaces of their pots.
Elaine and Mike create work that is simple, pleasing and intended for use. They sell directly to their customers from the studio and occasionally participate in fairs and shows. Creek Clayworks provides visitors an opportunity to see a working clay studio with a showroom/gallery. The Annual Christmas Open House has become a big event, the whole studio cleaned and filled with pottery. Commissions are frequently taken and custom dinner sets, both thrown and slabware, have become a specialty of Creek Clayworks.