Jaye Pope - Good Dirt Pottery

I fell in love with clay in high school back in the late 1970’s.  I still remember the magic performed by my teacher as he commanded an inert lump of clay to life while demonstrating on the potter’s wheel.  I never became discouraged at my inept attempts to recreate that same kind of magic when, more often than not; my life form on the wheel resembled a hula dancer choreographed to mock me.  There was always something in the mystery that held me. 

I earned my Associates Degree in Art Science from Greenfield Community College in Greenfield,  MA .  After graduation,  I worked for the Berkshire Porcelain Studios for several years operating the kilns and experimenting with glaze applications on tile murals, before moving on to work for Sarah Hettlinger of Bald Mountain Pottery as a production thrower.  It is from her that I truly learned to choreograph the dance of the clay on my wheel.

I then earned my Bachelors Degree  in Studio Arts from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  In 2001, I opened Good Dirt Pottery in Montague, MA.  I still believe in the magical life hidden in clay.  I think my work is a partnership with the character of that being in the clay that is brought to life in the firing process.

Posted:
Updated Thu, Jan 28, 2010 12:00 AM