A beloved community tradition for over thirty years, Watershed’s annual Salad Days weekend provides an opportunity to visit our campus and celebrate our community through food and art. Centered around a series of plates made by a different artist each year, Salad Days uplifts unique ceramic work and the bonds it creates.
The weekend begins with the Garden Party, a cocktail party featuring a fundraising auction whose proceeds go towards our scholarships and programs. On Salad Days, guests select their favorite handmade plate to take home. Many attendees return year after year to collect new plates. The event also includes a pottery sale, artist demonstrations, campus tours, and delicious food.
Salad Days History
In 1995, Watershed's second Executive Director, Lynn Thompson, envisioned a summertime celebration that would connect us more deeply with the local community. She named the event Salad Days, drawing inspiration from Shakespeare: “My salad days, when I was green in judgment...”
With a staff of only five and a couple of resident artists, we set out to create something from whole cloth. We distributed flyers around town, made food, created 100 handmade plates, arranged brick planters on card tables and bookshelves in the front yard, organized a small pottery sale, and hoped that someone would come. From those humble beginnings, Salad Days has grown into Watershed's most beloved tradition.
Salad Days
Our annual community picnic celebrating handmade ceramics and local food.
Salad Days Plate Archive
