6 minute read
Crafting Community
The inspiring influence of a local pottery artist
Sitting in the dust-coated pottery studio at the Community Center, ceramics artist Chris Powell examines a piece of pottery made by a student, relaying what makes a good piece of pottery and what makes a not-so-good one. He talked of inflection points, the harmony of form and decoration and the many techniques to achieve beautiful pieces of pottery. With 42 years of experience behind a throwing wheel, Powell reflects on his experiences in the world of ceramics and his time in Westerville with generous humor and candor.
When Powell was 14 years old, a student teacher from Penn State University showed up in his art class and showed four students how to throw ceramics on a potter’s wheel. It was a defining moment— ceramics became his passion and his livelihood.
Fast-forward four years and Powell was attending Edinboro University, just south of Erie, Pennsylvania, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in ceramics. After graduating from college he became what is known as a production potter at Three Rivers Pottery in Coshocton, Ohio, producing pottery eight hours a day, five to six days a week. His first post-college job taught him the actual art of throwing pottery. Twenty-five years later, he remains dedicated to the craft.
“Making pottery was my only source of income. I was in the studio every day working on retail and wholesale accounts and participating in ceramics shows,” said Powell. “I was really hustling every day. I am fortunate to have a wife whose job provided insurance,” he joked.
When choosing where to live and start his life with his wife, Beth, Powell ultimately chose Ohio for its rich history of art pottery.
“In Ohio, people grew up with pottery in their homes on a regular basis. If there was extra money in a household where I grew up, it went to the bar,” said Powell. “It was different here. People used to give very expensive Rookwood pottery as gifts.”
Before making the move to Westerville, Powell and his wife lived in north Columbus near The Ohio State University. They were outgrowing their space quickly and knew they wanted to buy a house that could be their forever home. They chose Westerville as their permanent home in large part because of the Westerville Fine Arts Festival, now the Westerville Music and Arts Festival. At the time it was one of the best and only fine arts festivals in the region.
Powell and his wife fell in love with a historic foursquare home on East College Avenue and have lived in their home for decades. Powell’s home features a detached ceramics studio where he creates most of his personal artwork.
“Westerville was dry back then. You really had to love Westerville at that time,” Powell said with a coy smile. “The streets would quite literally close up at 6 p.m. and it was dead quiet until Monday morning.”
Powell was content residing and running his own studio in Uptown Westerville, but two decades ago he took on another job that would prove just as important to him as his own business. The Parks and Recreation ceramics instructor at the time tapped Powell to cover her programs for the winter session.
“She ended up selling her house and moving out of Westerville and I’m still waiting for her to come back,” said Powell. “That was 20 years ago.”
The ceramics program at the Community Center is among the most popular programs offered in the lineup. The program was once housed at 64 E. Walnut St. before the Community Center expansion and renovation. The new location has piqued interest in the program more than ever and new students are always enrolling - if they happen to snag a seat in the class.
“We knew moving to the Community Center was going to get attention. This is a year-round program for kids, adults and older adults,” said Powell. “We could easily quadruple this space and still fill it with students.”
Powell has thoroughly enjoyed his time teaching and developing relationships with his students over the years and getting to know their stories. He says that familiarity has made him a better teacher and artist, and his students better ceramics hobbyists. Powell can be honest and open with his students about their work. He encourages each of his students to practice, practice, practice. Like any hobby or art form, it takes repetition to hone those skills. Powell teaches the foundations of pottery making and encourages students of all ages to focus on what they want to accomplish rather than being told what to do.
“It’s funny, a lot of my students are always asking me why they aren’t getting better,” said Powell. “I tell them they probably need to find a better teacher!”
In addition to creating his own artwork, Powell is also one of the only kiln repair technicians in the region. He spends a considerable amount of time traveling to schools, community centers, and arts centers across Ohio repairing kilns. He has also created a proprietary kiln formula that he still sells to customers today.
“I developed that kiln wash when I was a ceramic tech at Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD). I didn’t get paid a lot but I did get free studio space and I started making my own kiln wash, which I eventually started selling back to CCAD,” said Powell with a laugh. “But you probably shouldn’t put that in this article.”
Powell is also an avid collector of art pottery with a varied collection of pieces. Some of what he considers his best personal pieces are also in his private collection. Powell believes artists should be their own best collectors. He only smiled when asked about the size of his collection.
When asked to provide a final reflection on a lifetime of work in ceramics, Powell pointed out the special joy of creating.
“As a potter, you get to leave something behind when you are done living here. You leave something behind that is somewhat permanent. It can be broken, sure, but it is something created with your own hands,” said Powell. "I think that’s pretty cool.”
Header image: Three of Powell's own pottery pieces from his personal collection.
