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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

Ex-Solon Crafts New Life w/Feats of Clay

Arizona Daily Star article here, Wally Wright's Claywrights Web site here

In the "Where Are They Now" Dept., ex-Idaho legislator Wally Wright is hanging out in the Tucson, Ariz., area – making clay teapots. Sounds as though he's making good ones, too. Wright, as old-timers recall, gained local fame as owner of the Scenic Bay Marina/Bayview during the 1980s-'90s. When Kootenai County tried to impose a $10 boater fee on out-of-county residents, Wright successfully fought it on behalf of his customers from Spokane and other places. Later, the Democrat served two terms in the Idaho Legislature (1990-94). Djamila Grossman of the Arizona Daily Star caught up with the 68-year-old ex-Navy pilot at his Green Valley home. Seems his wife, Velva, signed Wally up for a basic class at a local clay studio two years ago. And he hasn't looked back. Reports Grossman: "Late at night, when everyone is sound asleep, Wally Wright's teapots might start moving. With twisted handles, sharp edges and soft details, some of those clay objects tower two feet toward the ceiling and look nothing like a teapot. People see knights, horses, houses and flowers when they look at them – and the list goes on." Wally's work has made waves in his area's clay community. "Nobody has done this kind of work," clay artist Dick Lagasca told the Daily Star. Wally has found such a niche that his work will be featured in a gallery show. Of the show, Wright said: "Wherever it leads us, it's a nice ride and another adventure. It may even make me an artist someday."



Huckleberries Online

D.F. Oliveria started Huckleberries Online on Feb. 16, 2004. Oliveria's Sunday print Huckleberries is a past winner of the national Herb Caen Memorial Column contest.