Chad Smith

The first potter that we are featuring is Chad Smith from Polkville, NC (located within the Catawba Valley). His story is not unlike other passionate folks that develop a deep connection with a certain art form. Chad describes himself ...

"After inheriting a pot from a relative and learning of its history I became enamored with clay. With this new found passion I thought it would be fun to try to make a few pots of my own. I started turning pots in 2004 at a local community college. After a few weeks of classes I bought my own wheel and started to turn at home. Longing to learn more about the traditional methods of pottery making while remaining greatly inspired by the pot I had received I attended my first wood firing in Feb 2005 where I was able to include 2 pots I made to burn in the kiln."

"As with any novice these were not very good. But I persevered. And now I have been turning for almost 5 years and my passion is stronger today than day one. I have spent the past few years helping some of my fellow Catawba Valley potters learning how to find and process native clay and using as many native materials as possible."

"This past October and recently again in March, a group of us worked together to fire the groundhog kiln of potter Hal Dedmond, one of those Catawba Valley potters that has been extremely helpful in my growth as a potter. My pieces are inspired by traditional forms of the Catawba Valley with the production of jugs, pitchers, jars, bottles, and particularly face jugs. With my acceptance into the Hickory Fest (or the Catawba Valley Pottery Festival) this year, I have been given the opportunity to introduce myself on a completely different scale. That will be both fun and a bit nerve-racking. The pot that was given to me in 2000 was turned by Sylvanus Hartsoe at the turn of last century, and the shiny alkaline glaze inspires me every time I see it high on the shelf, where my young daughter Caroline can point to and similarly appreciate."

Important works by Chad Smith

First Face Wig Stand (2008)	Bottle Face Jug (2008)
Ring Face Jug (2008)	Face Jug (2006)
Snake Jug (2007)	Crying Eyes Face Jug (2008)
First Triple Stack Jug (2007)