 Artist Biography Father Anthony, a member of the Abbey of New Clairvaux, a Trappist Monastery located in the Napa Valley of Northern California at Vina, has been a potter for over thirty years. He creates only one-of-a-kind pottery which, when available, is sold in the Abbey Gift Shop. Because these pots are usually purchased by tourists and visitors to the monastery, it is rare to find a number of his pieces displayed together and available for purchase.Father Anthony was born in Philadelphia in 1935. He studied Business and Engineering at Drexel University where he received a B.S. degree in Commerce in 1957. For the next four years he was employed by Allis-Chalmers which led to his transfer to the San Francisco area. In 1963 he entered the Dominican Order and received a degree in Philosophy and an advanced degree in Theology from Saint Albert’s in Oakland. Father Anthony was ordained a priest in 1969; he entered the Abbey of New Clairvaux in 1972 where he has remained ever since. It was during his studies at Saint Albert’s that Father Anthony became interested in ceramics. One year after entering New Clairvaux he built a studio and kiln for the production of pottery. He specializes in glazing vase forms using a red stoneware body fired to cone 4 or 5. It might still be possible to find one of his earliest vases with the signature “Anthony OP” (Order of Preachers). For most of his time as a potter Father Anthony has incised the bottom of his vases with NEW CLAIRVAUX in a circular fashion with the year in the middle, for instance 96 for 1996. We are indebted to the Abbey of New Clairvaux and Vasefinder web sites for information contained in this article. Work Available For Sale |
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