ABOUT US

Merrill & Paul Gisondo began their collaborative pottery work together in the early 1990s after establishing Point Pottery Studio at their home in Croton-on-Hudson. Point Pottery derives its name from the view they enjoyed of Croton Point and the Hudson River, and from the pointillist designs used in some of their pieces. In 2002 they relocated across Westchester County to the village of Mamaroneck, on the Long Island Sound.

Point Pottery produces a unique line of wheel-thrown functional ceramics using terra cotta and white earthenware clays. Their pieces are individually hand carved using the sgrafitto technique, in which designs are incised through colored slips applied to the pottery. The pieces are fired with a clear, lead-free glaze that enhances the natural color of the clays and slips, making them food-safe.

Their work incorporates a wide range of design motifs, many of which are inspired by Southwestern as well as local Hudson River valley and Long Island Sound Shore landscapes. Their work combines Paul’s refined wheel throwing skills and Merrill’s drawing and design talents to produce a highly original and artistic line of one-of-a-kind functional pieces that include bowls, platters, and vases. They exhibit and sell their work from their studio, through craft shows and galleries, and by commission.  They are both active members of the Mamaroneck Artists Guild.

  Merrill holds a B.A. in Fine Art and an M.A. in Art Education.  She has taught ceramic and other art classes at the Westchester Art Workshop in White Plains, the Croton-Cortlandt Center for the Arts and local schools. Paul works for Westchester County as a cartographer and planner, and has been throwing pots for 25 years. He also conducts Raku firing workshops at the Croton-Cortlandt Center for the Arts.