Shenandoah Potters Guild
The Guild
In 1987, a small group of potters were taking summer classes at the Strasburg Museum, in Strasburg, VA.
They felt a need to continue their clay connection during the "off season."
Thus, the Strasburg Potters Guild was born.
From the beginning, the Guild benefited from the historical significance of pottery to the Strasburg area and surrounding Shenandoah Valley. This provided a supporting environment in which the Guild could flourish, both in membership and community support.
After a few years, the Guild had grown from a handful of local potters to over 40 members, drawn from throughout the northern Shenandoah Valley region, from as far south as Mt. Jackson, Virginia to our northernmost members in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
Early in 1994, in recognition of this broader perspective, the Guild became the Shenandoah Potters Guild.
The objectives of the Shenandoah Potters Guild are:
• To promote the pottery heritage of the Shenandoah Valley
• To promote pottery as an art form
• To promote and develop the technical, artistic and professional skills of it's members
We address these objectives through programs, workshops, exhibits, and sales, some of which are open to non-members and the general public. Some of our annual activities include the Strasburg Mayfest, participation in various fairs and festivals, an Empty Bowl Soup Supper and a large Holiday Sale in Winchester.
Events
Potter of the Month
- Name: Steve Wilson
- Location: Winchester, VA
- WEBSITE
-
Medium:
Stoneware, Raku
Steve has worked with clay for over 30 years, but more seriously, since retiring in 1999. His studio is located in his home in a vastly wooded area at the base of Little North Mountain which is west of Winchester. He enjoys making raku pottery because raku pieces eliminate the functional stigma of pottery. However, he also throws stoneware pieces which he fires in his electric kiln. He employs an artistic approach to each piece with emphasis on texture, form, and color. Influences on his pottery are his environment, training in art, and a constant study of pottery techniques.
- Name: Ken Guin
- Location: Front Royal, VA
-
Medium:
Stoneware
Fox Hill Pottery is owned and operated by husband and wife team of Ken Guin and Rebecca Altizer. They do their pottery in their home studio, which is located just south of Front Royal, VA Rebecca is a retired elementary teacher and Ken is a retiree of the Federal government. They got started in pottery by taking classes at Lord Fairfax Community College and have continued to enjoy the creative process of the art. Ken discovered that wheel-thrown pottery gave him the most pleasure and Rebecca loves the endless variations of hand building. Their work includes mugs, casserole dishes, bowls, face jugs, vases, platters, and wall art. They are constantly experimenting with different shapes, textures, glazes, clays, and techniques. All of their work is glazed and fired at their home in either a gas-fired Raku kiln or an electric kiln.