Submitted Photo Pictured is work by Audrey Dowling.

WESTFIELD — During this year’s Chautauqua Pottery tour, Audrey Dowling at 6439 Portage Road, Westfield will be hosting a stop during this year’s Chautauqua Pottery Tour, which takes place this weekend.

Dowling notes she first confronted clay on the banks of the Bemus Creek that flowed through the 52 acres that she was raised on. “It was love at first feel — soft, pliable, responsive pointed sticks and things pressed into it,” she said.

Dowling noted she didn’t really get to explore its potential until she attended SUNY New Paltz where I took a few clay courses as an art education major. “From there, I put a studio into my Hudson house basement. I taught Hudson Valley students at Warwick how to use clay for self-expression, for five years. Later, I moved and put a studio into our gallery house in Western New York. After being a professional potter for about 25 years, I attended two summer workshops at Alfred University,” she said.

Dowling has worked with clay more than 40 years. “My clay work reflects my favorite things about life — waves and water, woods and trees, gardens and flowers,” she said.

Tour Chautauqua County Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to visit local potters in their studios, learn about their process and see new work available for purchase. Studios include: Mudslingers (Ron Nasca with Ted Lee, Amy Snyder, Jake Swanson, Sarah Zielonka) at 18 Water St., Fredonia; Lisa Eppolito with Jess Simmons and Ann Mormile at 261 Seymour St. Fredonia; Marcia Merrins with Paula Coats at 42 Rosalyn Court, Fredonia; Marvin Bjurlin with Randy Crawford, Linda Currier, Sally Danforth and Joe Moosman at 25 Maple Ave., Fredonia; Jim and Pat Reno at 6007 Route 54, Dewittville; and Audrey Dowling, Portage Hill Art Gallery, 6439 Portage Road, Westfield.

For details, see the Facebook page Chautauquapotterystudiotour.