Kristie Foss & Karen Piazza June 3 — 28, 2026
Featured at Artists' Cooperative Gallery of Westerly
Kristie Foss began her artistic sojourn at eight years old when her parents gave her a small bead loom. She explained, “I became fascinated with those small seed beads and the looming process. Gradually, I transitioned to off-loom bead weaving and created jewelry for myself and others.” Eventually Ms. Foss transitioned to include off-loom beading and painting in her artistic repertoire. After attending a workshop in California, she began to explore other media like precious metal clay and polymer clay which gave her more artistic license to create her own beads and express herself more freely as an artist. Now she focuses all her efforts on polymer clay,
“I still delight in working with, and teaching about, polymer. The capabilities of the material, the colors, the feel of it in my hands, the techniques that can be used—all keep me exploring, curious, and creating.” One of the things that I love about polymer clay is the ability to create pieces that reflect both what I see and what I imagine. I particularly like making flowers, leaves and other items with nature themes, and our natural environment serves as a large source of inspiration for me.”
Karen Piazza expresses her muse in the form of pottery and watercolor. The artist’s experience in Paris greatly influenced her watercolors, which often depict urban scenes, especially cafes, and it was in Paris that her love for ceramic art began. “My love of pottery came to be while taking sculpture classes in Paris. I noticed an unused pottery wheel in the corner, and it was there that fascination with throwing pots began.”
Ms. Piazza continued to study at the famous Wesleyan Potters, taking various classes in wheel throwing, decorating and hand building and eventually established her own pottery.
“I now work out of my studio, constantly challenging myself with various clays, shapes and forms, and experimenting with different glazes. My goal is to continue to grow as an artist using new ideas and techniques to keep my work fresh and ever-changing.”
In addition to being an ACGOW artist she is also a member of The Art Guild of Middletown, and The Ct Watercolor Society, and has won numerous awards for her watercolors.