Studio Friends

Denny McLaughlin

Peter was one of the first studio members I met in 2003 when I first arrived in Boston. He was the perfect representative of a unique community of artists ; accepting, respectful of each other, willing to share information and assisting anyone that walked through the studio doors. I so enjoyed the years he assisted me with the evening classes we taught! I always felt like we were a great team. He never hesitated to take over if I wasn’t available to help someone.  

The last time Peter and I were working together in the studio we were both throwing cylinders. It had been a long time since he had thrown and he asked if he could watch me before he started. I said, of course! Later I watched him throw the beaker forms perfectly suited for his slip banding technique he used.

Cathy Moynihan

I always admired Peter for his calmness and unshakable leadership in the face of the daunting task of transforming our studio into a showplace for the big sale. As a friend, I valued his wise advice and his ability to stay in harmony with everyone.  Peter also made a killer cup of coffee that I had the good fortune of sharing with him on special occasions!

Scott Ruescher

I always enjoyed seeing Peter (somehow I never knew he was really known as Pete!) at the gym, in the streets of Harvard Square, and in my office at the Harvard Ed School Arts in Education program when he used to come by on HUCTW business. I've had a work relationship with people at the Ceramics Program over the years too, so it was interesting to learn of his studio pottery practice, too. And I do believe, when my wife and I ran across the two of you walking through Inman Square one soft summer night a few years ago, that I had that same feeling—wouldn't it be good to hang out with him instead of just running into him all over the place and having a very amusing if brief interaction? He was a memorable man—and he still is.

George Schnee

I was one of Peter's golf buddies. Finding someone in the pottery studio with interests in both golf and clay was a very pleasant surprise. As one of a handful of men in the studio, I met Peter when I was helping set up for a show several years ago. It was later that we realized we also had a common interest in golf, and it was really great to play with him. While Peter's and my ceramics work are very different, he and I played golf at about the same level: pretty good sometimes, really bad other times. Just enough very good shots to keep us coming back. And come back we did, even playing in very cold weather whenever we had to. The last time we played, Peter confided in me about his health situation and was just beginning some more testing. He looked and played well, and I will always remember that on our final round together, after missing a relatively easy putt on the 16th hole in Bridgewater and being uncharacteristically pissed off about it, on hole 17 he made a majestic 25 ft. putt for an elusive birdie. We finished the round smiling!

Peter is and will be really missed at the studio. We have talked about trying to stage an exhibition of his work once things reopen, and I hope he can be remembered for both his calm and generous demeanor along with his beautiful work. I bought one of his vases last December, and it is proudly displayed front and center above our fireplace (when I'm not using it for flowers). The Peter Berry Scholarship at the Studio will provide a lasting legacy and remembrance of Peter, and it will assist other people wanting but not able to afford enrolling in ceramics classes. Peter is sorely missed by many, but many positive memories live on.