Like many other small businesses, local artists have been vulnerable to the economic impact of the past few months. In a time where it’s important to come together and support your own, we wanted to share six potters based in the Charlotte area that you’re sure to love.
Dove Pottery made by Jordan Campbell
Jordan Campbell grew up watching his grandmother, Selma Dove Krones, make pottery. When she passed in 2015, he decided to carry on her legacy by creating and selling pottery under the same name, Dove Pottery. He combines earthy tones and shapes with splashes of bright colors to create beautiful pieces for anyone’s style. If you’re looking for an especially unique piece, check out his leaf-shaped spoon rests for your kitchen. Find them on Facebook here: facebook.com/DovePottery.
Duck Creek Pottery made by Sylvia Coppola
Based in Indian Trail, Sylvia Coppola has been making pottery in North Carolina since 1976. She graduated from Western Carolina University, where she first found her love for pottery. Sylvia also teaches workshops around the state, sharing her gift with beginners and experienced potters alike. Duck Creek Pottery is set apart by the colorful, bold pieces that Sylvia creates, from ceramic flowers to vases, mugs, bowls, and beyond. Visit their website here: duckcreekpottery.com.
Duis Pottery made by Jim and Laura Duis
Husband and wife Jim and Laura established Duis Pottery in 2014. Jim throws on a pottery wheel, while Laura hand-builds wall tiles and sculptures. Whether they’re intended to be functional, like a mug or a vase, or just for decoration, the pieces from Duis Pottery are always intricately and beautifully crafted. They primarily sell on their Etsy shop, which you can find here: etsy.com/shop/DuisPottery.
Feldspar + Flint made by Allison McGowan Hermans
Allison McGowan Hermans prioritizes functionality, but rejects the idea that functional means rigid in the ceramics world. She keeps her style fluid, whimsical, and informed by nature, which translates beautifully in her pieces. She pots plates, bowls, cups, teapots, vases and jars, making it easy to incorporate her work into your home. Based in Concord, NC, which is just north of Charlotte, Allison also works as a pediatric and elderly therapist in homes and hospital settings, along with spending time in the studio and with her family. You can visit her website here: allisonmcgowan.com.
Lily Valley Pottery by Kristen Horne
A recent graduate of Appalachian State University, Kristen Horne is now based in Monroe, NC. Her work is inspired by plants, streams, and rocks, and emphasizes their rough elegance to showcase a variety in texture. Kristen’s featured pieces include Raku bowls, crafted in a traditional Japanese style, as well as tumblers and plates specific to North Carolina’s natural beauty. Visit Lily Valley Pottery’s website here: lvpottery.com
Julie Wiggins Pottery made by Julie Wiggins
Focusing on functional pieces, like mugs, plates, and bowls, Julie Wiggins also incorporates Eastern techniques. She focused her studies on traditional Japanese and Chinese techniques, even receiving an honorary degree from the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute in China. Many of her designs incorporate simple floral patterns inspired by the landscapes and flora of North Carolina. Check out her pieces on her website at juliewigginspottery.com.
