When offered the opportunity to show her ceramic creations at the Gallery at 48 Natomas, Deborah Pittman thought of one and only artist to share the space with, Laurie Friedman Adler.

Deborah and Laurie, both classical clarinetists, met during their graduate school days at Brooklyn College Conservatory, where they studied with renown teacher, Leon Russianoff.

While still devoting countless hours to their craft, they discovered that they both had branched off into the visual arts as well, Laurie into wood sculpture and Deborah into ceramic sculpture.

Laurie is an accomplished musician, composer, and professor of music at Hofstra University and Brooklyn College Academy. Her sculptures are highly experiential and responsive; they are her reply to major tragedies and triumphs of humanity. 

Deborah creates very personal, one-of-a-kind ceramic work, with a focus on contour, surface deign and negative space. She rarely uses glaze, preferring the feel of the naked skin of the clay.  

Laurie and Deborah have had several collaborations including:

Harriet and Anne, a journey of music, visual images, movement, and the spoken word. It was presented in a showcase at the Producer’s Club (off Broadway, NY) and provides a look at the indomitable strength of the human spirit, as told from the perspective of two women of two very different times and cultural struggles: Harriet Tubman and Anne Frank.

They have collaborated an urn for a dear violinist, who departed way too soon. And they are collaborating on a ceramic/wood sculpture created especially for this show.

Opening reception: Friday, January 23, 6-8 pm.

Gallery Hours:
Monday through Friday 9am-4:30pm
Extended Hours Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 6–8pm

Learn more.