Mary Hooper Hirst Remembrance Page 2

From Kyda West:

I always think of Mary in a Girl Scout uniform.  I was a leader when she was.  Although we weren't working with the same troop she always knew how to do everything and shared ideas.  I loved her laugh - which she used a lot.  She had a great smile and a great laugh. I have missed her for a couple of years already and will continue to do so.

From Dick and Maxine Gresla:

What a dear "Big Sister".  We have known Mary since 1956 in Milwaukee. Through the years we have kept in contact and watched you girls grow and mature. We know Mary and Dave are very proud of the way you have grown up, and cared for Mary in these past years. I will treasure the memories and the various gifts she has given us around our home. Bless you all and your families.

From P. and K. Meehan: My wife and I are very sorry to hear about the passing of Mrs. Hirst.  We are pottery collectors.  We met her at Pots Place in 2007.  We were traveling in the south from our home in Wisconsin and heard about Pots Place from another local potter.  Mrs. Hirst was very gracious during our visit, especially when we told her we were from Wisconsin.  She spoke with us about her time with the Wisconsin potter Abe Cohn and showed us around the gallery.  She was very proud of all of the potters whose works were on exhibition there (an a wonderful display it was!!) and showed us everything.  She also introduced us to Bob Brigl and the students in the work area (that was really nice).  We had a great day in Bowling Green because of Mary's hospitality.  She was a wonderful person.

Mary....Dearest Mary.  I am so lucky to have had you as such a dear friend.  Thank you for all of the wonderful times when your laughter filled the square and your smiles brightened the day!  I still picture you the day we first walked into the building that was to become the Pots Place.  You were so excited at the prospect of buying it.  I cautioned you that the building needed so much work and turning it into something remarkable would be a huge undertaking.  Frankly, to me it seemed impossible.  You just smiled and expressed confidence in your vision, "No, I can see the potential....I can see what this can become."  Over the years, you proved how right you were that first day.  In your own unique style, you created a remarkable place for the arts to flourish in downtown Bowling Green, a place where art is created, taught, learned, and celebrated.  You created a meeting place, a place of community where people come together in common and uncommon pursuits.
  The Pots Place, and you, Mary, grew to become an important anchor in the ebb and flow of life on the square.  And all the while this was happening, you laughed and smiled and had a great time. 
I was fortunate to share so many studio years with you and to have learned so much from you.  How I miss our discussions and debates!  I miss watching the whirlwind that was you at the glazing table.  The energetic spontaneity with which you literally threw glaze onto your work always made me grin.  As in your life, you took a brave, bold, and intuitive approach to your clay work, always trusting in your own unique abilities and expressions.  I treasure the pieces we traded over the years....they continue to speak with your voice and your tremendous heart.  In my opinion, that enduring voice is the measure of great art.
From the beginning of our friendship, you welcomed me into your vision, your studio, your family.  I know that for evermore whenever I use one of your platters or  walk around the beautiful square in Bowling Green, I will hear the laughter and feel the smile of beautiful Mary Hooper Hirst.  How lucky I am! -Diane Braber

Light a candle