The Jamie Gagarin Gallery at the Oliver Wolcott Library is hosting an extraordinary visual conversation in its special exhibit “Two Potters,” featuring the work of Bantam’s own legendary traditional potter, Guy Wolff, and internationally acclaimed Afghan master potter, Matin Malikzada.
While their paths couldn’t have been more different, their devotion to the wheel, to the integrity of raw clay, and to the preservation of heritage forms unites them.
“Two Potters” will be on view from June 5 through June 12, with an opening reception on Tuesday, June 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. and a special talk featuring the potters on Friday, June 12, from 2 to 3 p.m.
The Master of the New England Wheel: Guy Wolff
For more than 50 years, Guy Wolff has been a fixture of the Northwest Connecticut arts community. Growing up in Litchfield County as the son of abstract expressionist painter Robert Jay Wolff, Guy eschewed the modern avant-garde in favor of something much older. Inspired by the living history of places like Old Sturbridge Village and traditional potteries in South Wales and England, Guy opened his first shop in the Woodville section of Washington in 1971. Today, he continues to work just down the road in Bantam.
Guy Wolff’s deep reverence for historical American and European shapes hasn’t just earned him the respect of fellow artisans—it has caught the eye of some of the most influential tastemakers in the world.
It is no secret in the design world that Martha Stewart is an avid collector and champion of Guy’s work. His classic flowerpots have been featured across her magazines and television shows for decades, celebrated for the way they elevate a simple geranium into a work of art. Similarly, Oprah Winfrey has featured his exquisite, historically informed pottery on her famed Favorite Things list, cementing Guy’s status as an American design icon whose pieces bring a grounded, earthy sophistication to any space.
A Seventh-Generation Heritage: Matin Malikzada
Sharing the gallery space is Matin Malikzada, a seventh-generation Afghan master potter whose life and art represent resilience, survival, and brilliant technical skill.
Matin comes from Istalif, Afghanistan, a village globally renowned for centuries as a vibrant epicenter of ceramic art. Before he was forced to flee his homeland following the Taliban takeover, Matin served as the head of the Ceramics Department at the Turquoise Mountain Institute in Kabul—an organization founded by King Charles III to preserve historic crafts.
Now resettled in Northwest Connecticut, Matin is keeping his family’s ancient lineage alive. He is globally celebrated for revitalizing a nearly lost art of high-symmetry design and a breathtaking turquoise glaze derived entirely from natural pigments unique to Istalifi pottery. His integration into the local design community includes a recent collaboration with legendary Litchfield County designer Bunny Williams for an exclusive tableware and decorative collection through Bunny Williams Home.
Where History and Community Meet
Seeing Wolff’s robust, historic Anglo-American terracotta forms alongside Malikzada’s elegant, vibrantly glazed Afghan masterpieces is a testament to the power of craft to bridge cultures. Both men throw with a sense of historical duty, reminding us that a simple clay vessel can carry the weight and beauty of centuries.
Don’t miss the opportunity to meet both of these extraordinary artisans, view their stunning collections, and perhaps bring a piece of living history into your own home.
Mark Your Calendar:
- Exhibit Dates: June 5 – June 12, 2026
- Opening Reception: Tuesday, June 9 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM (Free and open to the public)
- Two Potters Talk (In-Person & Zoom): Friday, June 12 from 2:00 – 3:00 PM. Join Guy and Matin as they discuss their techniques, histories, and the shared language of clay. Register to attend in person or on Zoom here.
The Jamie Gagarin Gallery is located inside the Oliver Wolcott Library at 160 South Street, Litchfield. Because the gallery shares space with community events, we recommend calling ahead at 860-567-8030 to confirm viewing hours before your visit.
Marbled pots Guy Wolff posted on his Facebook page in February, 2026.