Halstead's
raised their 3
children right
here in Lockport
and believed
creative
thinking and art
were an
important part
of their
children’s
education. It is
what makes life
stable in the
midst of
struggles.
Creative
thinking looks
at the
possibilities. It
discovers what
can be done or
created with
what we have
right now.
A healthy
community has
lots of creative
people using
their creative
skills.
Halstead's
opened Lockport
Art Co. in
August 2011 as a
working studio
that has room
for others to
come and
create. Young
and old join
Russell and
Christine in
their studio
classes and
workshops.
Everyone can get
involved in
creating. There
are classes for
children ages 7-
12 yrs old. And
evening classes
are set up as a
community of
artists working
together in
pottery or
glass. Beginners
are given clear
step by step
instruction and
discover during
the first class
that they can
create. We are
all artists.
Russell is the
master Artisan
and chooses
pottery as his
main medium.
He also works in
glass, wood and
textiles. He
creates
functional art
as well as fine
art pieces and
sculptures.
His favorite
functional
pieces are his
mugs. He
has studied with
other master
potters to hone
his skill.
Ed Rothfus who
studied pottery
under Val
Cushing; and
Simon Leach
whose
grandfather is
Bernard Leach
considered the
father of studio
pottery, have
both visited our
studio and held
workshops.
Christine
teaches the
student classes
and beginning
pottery skills.
She also works
in hand built
sculptures. She
has been
influenced and
encouraged by
visiting
artists’ Sue
Gisler and
Kristine Gazzo.
Russell and
Christine enjoy
sharing their
art experience.
Both have worked
at full time
jobs and
understand the
stress of
demanding jobs.
As of the spring
of 2016 they are
both working
full time in
their studio and
concentrating on
making art that
appeals to the
consumer and art
that appeals to
their own
artistic
choices. You
will usually
find Russell and
Christine
working in their
art studio.
