The Gateway
1995
Ceramic
Peter King and Marni Jaime
Stonehaus Pottery
Pensacola, Florida
Annmarie Garden Collection
The Gateway stands as an architectural marker to signify the transition to a different spiritual space. The two posts portray the landscape of Calvert County – trees and field on the water’s edge. This pictorial imagery is contained within an architectural framework that is fluid and organic, suggesting a serene blending between the works of humans and nature. The small pavilions that cap each post represent the sanctuary one finds in the garden. Overall, the artists intended to convey a sense of tranquility to all visitors.
Created over a period of five months and composed of over six tons of ceramics and over 630 sections, these glazed ceramic gateposts are perhaps the largest and most complex hand-built project ever undertaken by a U.S. pottery studio. The magnificent designs of Stonehaus Studios are the result of the complementary skills that King and Jaime bring to their partnership. King’s background in carpentry, allows him to carve the clay in what he describes as “clay carpentry.” Jaime’s background in painting is evidenced by her use of strong colors and graphics. Having worked as a team since 1988, they are known international for their bold designs and technical mastery of the medium. The Gateway can be found in the popular book, Handbuilt Ceramics by Kathy Triplett.