The Village Potters Clay Center

Tag: clay center

  • You Know What They Say About Many Hands

    The Village Potters Clay Center is located along the French Broad River. Most days, this ancient river looks rather lazy from where we sit, and in the summertime we see hundreds of tubers floating on its waters, basking in the sun. Recently, during the last week of summer, we were dealing with a different type of river. Hurricane Florence was just a couple of days away from working its way inland, and predictions were grim.

     We had two days to pack up as much of our 13,000+ square foot facility as we possibly could and move it to higher ground.  What I witnessed over those two days seemed quite miraculous. The Village Potters Clay Center consists of about eight people at its core. Those eight people put out a call for help, and many able bodies showed up.Moving StoolsWe had students from our teaching center, apprentices, advanced ceramics students, and even some of their loved ones, come and go throughout those two days. We really saw our community come together.

    Loading the Big TrucksWith what felt like a village at work, we moved 10 kilns, more than 20 wheels and tables, over 50 shelves, three slab rollers, at least 11 tons of clay, and so much more!George on fork liftEverything was packed and moved to the second story or onto one of three 26-foot trucks. Almost the entire Village Potters Clay Center was empty in an incredibly short period of time!

    Barbara Moving GlazesSunday arrived and we awaited what was supposed to be tropical depression rains, but by some stroke of luck, the worst of the storm missed Asheville almost entirely. We decided to take the following day and do a deep clean of the studio while it was empty, and almost the same Rockstar crew showed up to put The Village Potters back together again!Jen in Kiln RoomMany hands really do make for lighter work, and seeing them all making this gigantic feat possible warmed all of our hearts. We could not have accomplished such a task without the beautiful community of people that come together at the Village Potters. Clay creates so much more than pots!

    Lori in Kiln Room

  • It’s All About The Clay

    Every artist, every maker, every craftsperson knows that the materials they work with are the foundation for everything they make. For the potter, it is all about the clay! Anytime potters are gathered clay is sure to come up in conversation. “What clay do you use? Do you have any issues with it? Why do you love it? Does it come too wet? What about drying? Do your handles ever pop off or pull away?”

    the village potters, asheville, nc, pottery, ceramics, laguna clays, open house, sarah wells rolland

    Potters are very concerned about clay. The needs are many, including plasticity, consistent moisture content, drying nature, gritty or smooth qualities, temperature range, and the overall quality of materials used that make up the clay. We have a lot riding on the consistent performance of our clays. We learn our chosen clay’s personality and quirks. We form a relationship with it. Needless to say, the potter desires to find a clay they can trust.

    I have been making pots since the 1980’s and have experienced almost every kind of clay failure. From pop outs, late outgassing that causes pinholes, wet clay which increases the shrinkage rate, bringing a gamut of troubles, to firm clay which damages our wrists. I could go on, but I won’t. Potters have a tendency to blame the clay when things don’t go well. Many times it is the clay itself, but it can also be the potter.

    In the 1990’s, my relationship with clay had a major breakthrough. Vermont potter, Barbara Knutson and her life partner Karl Miller had moved to Haywood County. She saw my work
    somewhere, called me up and we became lifelong friends. As providence would have it, I had just experienced a major disaster firing, opening my kiln to discover pin holes everywhere. Karl told me he had owned a clay supply company for decades in upstate NY, and that upon his retirement, he sold all his clay recipes to Laguna Clays. Laguna built a northeastern clay facility in Ohio and was mixing Karl’s clays under ‘Miller Clays’. I shared with Barbara and Karl my constant pursuit for a quality clay and Karl said, “Kiddo, try Miller 900. I can see from the nature of your work and the glaze responses exactly what you’re are going for. Miller 900 clay will meet your needs.” That was over 20 years ago and his suggestion changed the trajectory of my future as a potter. It was and remains one of the best clays I have ever experienced.

    I had the vision back then for what is now The Village Potters. What I did not foresee was that one day I would be selling Laguna and Miller clays. I am thrilled everytime a potter discovers a Laguna or Miller clay that is right for them. Karl and I have had many clay talks. He taught me so much about the quality of different materials. He shared what is required to make clays that professional potters can rely on. Now in his eighties, Karl is a true renaissance man. He has made sculpture, pots, outdoor installations, built kilns and buildings, and even raised carrier pigeons. The last time I spoke with Karl and Barbara, they had been to China and Karl was entertaining making some life size Chinese soldiers.

    Laguna Test Tiles

    I know from 20 years of experience that Laguna makes every effort to make quality and consistent clays. It is easy for me to recommend these clays.

    Please join us on May 12th, 2018 from 11am – 4pm for our Our Open House. This event is made for you, the potter, to check out for yourself our clay center and the clays we sell. We will be giving away clay throughout the day and having loads of fun! This is a great day not only for potters, but for the collector too. Come experience the clay from right out of the bag to fired and for sale. See and learn for yourself the different clays in  finished forms. It really is “ALL about the Clay.”

    — Sarah Wells Rolland, Founder of The Village Potters Clay Center

    TVP Open House Invite

    TVP Laguna Logo