Dialogue: Lindenfeld + Lindenfeld
Lore Kadden Lindenfeld (1921 – 2010) emigrated from Germany to the US as a Jewish refugee in the late 1930s. She attended Black Mountain College from 1945-48 already equipped with sewing and embroidery skills. She was a student of both Josef and Anni Albers as well as Trude Guermonprez and Franziska Mayer, all of whom like her, fled Europe. Inspired by the Alberses and the Bauhaus tradition, she worked as a designer for the New York textile industry. While there she met her husband-to-be, physicist Peter Lindenfeld at a John Cage “Happening” at the 8th Street Club. She went on to have a career as a weaver, fiber collage artist and as a college level weaving and art history teacher.
This exhibition presents the clay and mixed media work of Naomi Lindenfeld as she responded to a selection of her mother, Lore’s innovative textiles. The opportunity allowed her to grow creatively and to honor her mother and her life’s work. The pieces created by mother and daughter function independently as well as in dynamic conversation with each other.
Naomi Lindenfeld reflects: I grew up with my mother’s loom in our family’s living room, hearing riveting stories of Black Mountain College its avant-garde, experimental environment and brilliant, unique personalities. As well, I was exposed to many artists and craftspeople during my childhood. Not many years later I ended up with clay carving tools and a rolling pin in my own ceramics studio. I responded to the immediacy of clay and pursued it in college, earning a degree in ceramics. While there I discovered the Japanese technique, Nerikomi, of layering colored clays to create patterns. I have been captivated by exploring many ways of working with colored clay ever since. More recently I have been working with mixed media featuring the patterns of tea stains. Both my method of working with clay and the tea art have a sense of movement, abstract graphic quality, nature-themed imagery and vivid color that echo my mother’s textiles.
Dialogue: Lindenfeld + Lindenfeld exemplifies the generational impact of Black Mountain College’s remarkable legacy as a cultural melting pot and rigorous laboratory for creative experimentation. The College’s approach to education mixed freedom and responsibility with self-reliance and community. These ingredients co-mingled to create a spirit of exploration that can be shared, taught, and passed down from parent to child forever.
— Naomi Lindenfeld
Opening Reception Friday January 30th, 2026 5:30-8pm
Artist Talk Saturday January 31st, 2026 11am
Colored Clay Workshop
Natural objects with patterned imagery surround us in the environment. These will provide inspiration for making pieces from layered, colored clay. Two forming methods will be presented using a layered block: Wrapped slab cups, vases and trays and pinched and carved bowls. Prior experience with clay is helpful but not necessary.
March 14 and 15
Saturday and Sunday, 9am – 12pm
For ages 16 and up. Clay experience is helpful but not necessary.
$235 fee includes materials, use of the studio until 6pm on both days of the workshop, glazing session and firing.
For more information and to register email: naomilindenfeld@gmail.com
Explore hand building and slip techniques with clay
This workshop is designed for those new or experienced with clay-working.
We will use pinch and slab construction to make pieces that will then be decorated with a variety of slip techniques. Slip is liquid clay that can be stained with different pigments. Creating surfaces with layered, colored slips such as combing, texturing, stenciling, printing, painting and more will be explored, producing a sense of depth and intrigue.
We will make paper templates as a useful tool for envisioning how a flat slab of clay can be folded into a three-dimensional form. A clay slab is rolled out and cut into the shape of the template. Before or after the folding and construction takes place, the pigmented slips will be applied to the surface. Tips and tricks will be shown for folding, wrapping, attaching and treating seams, edges and corners.
Pieces made during the first few days will get bisque fired towards the end of the week. All pieces made will be fired after the workshop which is included in the workshop fee.
About the Instructor:
Since 1998 Naomi Lindenfeld has been the ceramics teacher at The Putney School, teaching a variety of hand-building and wheel-throwing methods. Naomi has also taught a number of colored clay, and more recently, colored slip workshops at craft centers around the northeast and beyond. She has enjoyed the opportunity to share her enthusiasm for these unusual and exciting techniques.
