The door opens wide, and I find myself welcomed into a beautiful space drenched with natural light streaming in through the barn windows. I feel as if the room is smiling, inviting me to step inside. So I do. 

Jordan Becker, the owner of Firelight Gallery and a talented ceramic artist with nearly two decades of experience, offers me a cup of tea and chats while it steeps. He’s chosen a loose leaf from Saratoga Tea and Honey that I haven’t tried yet. He pours it from a delightful clay-fashioned teapot into one of his mugs and hands it to me. My hands cradle the roundness of it, and I settle into a comfy rocking chair next to him. The interview about opening his ceramic shop and his journey to this moment begins. 

Jordan has recently renovated this ceramic studio and gallery on Lake Avenue in Saratoga. His eyes twinkle when I ask what he envisions the space might offer others. “I’m interested in bringing more art into the community. I picture people dropping by the clay studio to view my most recent works, perhaps watch me fashion clay on the potter’s wheel and enjoy a leisurely visit over a nice cup of tea.”   

Jordan tells me he hosted a weekend workshop in early February for 40 parents, teachers, and students from the Waldorf School of Saratoga, where his kids attend classes. “It’s interesting to watch how parents approach working with clay for the first time vs. how children do,” he elaborates. “During this particular weekend, participants could work on a sculptural project with clay or watch a live demo on the potter’s wheel while the younger ones happily created an imaginary clay land on a low table I’d set up the night before. Each group of children that worked their way through the shop kept adding to the village throughout the event. It was magical.” 

This soft-spoken man explains how kids instinctively know what to do with clay. “They squeeze, carve and shape without thought.” On the other hand, most parents take time to sit and stare at a block of clay, contemplating what they should make before handling it. “They hesitate, which allows their thoughts to get in the way.” Jordan wonders if this is an instance when children should guide the adults. I listen to his laughter. “I know, I know, the reverse of what we want to happen most days, right?”  Jordan shares how much he enjoyed observing that role reversal happen over and over again during the weekend of workshops. 

Jordan and his wife Tara bought the property on Lake Avenue in Saratoga two years ago this past October. They had driven by the house several times and dreamt of converting its two-story barn into an art space for themselves. The couple talked about renovating the downstairs area of the barn into a clay studio. The plans were to incorporate a cozy gallery/storefront where Jordan could display his work in a professional manner. 

We set our tea down and wander through the gallery, where he’s set fantastic pieces on white pillars varying in height. Some of the artwork is highly artistic, intricately designed sculptures I can picture in my home or someone’s office, while others are both beautiful and functional at the same time – cups, bowls, teapots, and plates, to name a few. My favorite is a trio of small flower vases, the color of rich soil. They call out to me instantly. It’s easy to envision them filled with flowers and set on the windowsills of my apartment. Each piece makes a dramatic statement with the help of the day’s natural light and the placement of track lighting overhead. 

Jordan has been busy reacquainting himself with the soft clay work inside his studio. “At the beginning of November,” he shares, “I threw the first piece in this space, and I’ve also been cutting and carving into leather-hard clay.” He takes a sip of tea, contemplating his following words. “It feels terrific, watching ideas I’ve been filing away over the last two years bubble to the surface in the wet clay.” 

The barn door flings open, and his daughter Anina dances into the room. She is surprised to see me but happy to show off the works of clay she helped make during the workshop a few weeks ago. “In the springtime, when the weather is warmer, and he has enough pieces, dad will fire them all, and then everyone can come to pick them up!” she tells me with the level of enthusiasm only a child can harness. Jordan smiles, agreeing with her. He explains that the community wood kiln he built in 2009 is enormous, so he only fires it up a few times a year.  

The feedback I get from Waldorf students and the parents I talk to is all positive. Many who attended the workshop found items in the gallery they ‘couldn’t live without’ – which meant they went home with a few. And, because Jordan was the school’s Hand-in-Hand Partner for February, he gave a portion of his sales back to Waldorf. “He was gracious, patient, and took his time walking us through what we were supposed to be doing,” One attendee told me. It was a win-win for everyone.  

Jordan says he appreciates all the help and support from friends and family during the last few years preparing the barn for work and company. “It has been such a rewarding journey. I’m excited to see how the space continues to grow and evolve – from the art made in the barn to the people visiting.”

“My heartfelt wish for the barn is to have a studio where folks can drop by, enjoy a cup of tea, browse the gallery, and have a conversation – share the creative things that might be on our minds.” I think Jordan feels the way most of us do since the pandemic. Missing people – not being able to interact with others, has created a void we all feel deeply. “Two comfy chairs, a wood stove, and an inspirational space – that’s what’s important to me.” I laugh and tell him he’s got the comfy chair part down-pat. He tells me the wood stove is on the goal list for next winter. We both chuckle and finish what’s left of our tea.   

“I smiled a lot during that February weekend,” Jordan states as we say our goodbyes. “I hope to provide more opportunities like this for the neighborhood.” Somehow, I believe he will. I’ll be first in line.  

You can reach Jordan here: www.instagram.com/jordanbeckerceramics

Or here: www.jordanbecker.com