Troy Canty

Troy Canty was born on October 20th 1946. His parents were Billie and Catherine Canty. He learned to make pottery from his mother and grandparents, Arzada Sanders, Emma Canty, and Early Brown. Though he has been around pottery making, all of his life, he began regularly making it around 1998. His signature piece is the arrowhead peace pipe. He says that his favorite aspect of pottery making is carving and shaping his pieces. He has helped others to learn the craft, such as Eric Canty. He hopes to one day teach his son to make pottery as well.

Betty Blue

Betty Blue was born on the Catawba Reservation in 1934. Her father was Floyd Raymond Harris, former Chief of the Catawba Nation and World War II veteran. Her mother was Nola Campbell a Master Potter. She learned to make pottery by rubbing pots for her mother and experimenting on her own. She started making pottery on her own in the early 90s. She enjoys the results she gets from working with the clay. Her signature pieces are the Rebecca pitcher and the loving cup. She hopes to pass her skills on to the next generation by teaching her grandson.

Caroleen Sanders

Caroleen Sanders was born on the Catawba Reservation in 1944. Caroleen is known for the fine burnish on her pots. She frequently uses traditional animal motifs in her work. She is a traditional potter who is also willing to innovate.

She grew up watching other potters work, especially her mother, Verdie Harris Sanders. Caroleen began working with clay seriously in the middle 1970s. She was influenced to take up the craft by the Catawba Cultural Preservation Project’s annual festival. She received acclaim for her innovative busts of Chief Sam Blue and Margaret Brown. Caroleen learned her craft from master potters such as Nola Campbell and Earl Robbins.

Bryan Sanders

Bryan Sanders was born on May 5th 1965 in Lancaster, South Carolina. His Parents were William and Donna Sanders. He learned to make pottery at the age of three from Arzada Sanders. He says that he likes being able to carry on the tradition of pottery making and being able to be a part of history. His signature piece is the turtle flute. He passes on the craft by teaching his children and grandchildren.

Paul Campbell

Paul Campbell was born on New Years Day 1963 at the York Hospital in Rock Hill South Carolina. His parents are Susan Sanders Campbell and Ernest Paul Campbell. He learned to make pottery by taking a class in 2000 at the Catawba Cultural Center. He likes everything about pottery making but especially the tradition. His signature pieces include the wedding jug and various vases. He hopes the tradition will continue and believes that classes are the best way to do that.

Teresa Harris

Teresa Harris was born in 1948 in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Her parents are Beulah Thomas and Wilifred Harris. She learned to make pottery from her mother and through classes taught at the Cultural Center. She began making pottery in the late 90s and enjoys the relaxation pottery making provides. Her signature piece is a small smudge pot. She hopes to pass the tradition on by teaching her grandchildren.

Margaret Robbins

Margaret Robbins was born on January 14th 1957 in York County, South Carolina. Her parents are Earl and Viola Robbins, both incredibly skilled potters. She started making Pottery in 1987, learning the tradition from her parents. Margaret is a traditional Catawba Potter. She digs clay from the traditional clay holes, prepares the clay using ancient methods, and creates pottery in traditional methods using ancient forms as well as some forms of her own design. Some of the traditional forms that she makes include wedding jugs, canoes, turtle effigies, snake pots, peace pipes, as well as many others. Her signature pieces include the Sun bowl, Old Maid Jugs, Feather pot, Earl pot, and Viola pot. She enjoys the creative aspect of pottery making. She is still very active in the pottery tradition and believes that she is very lucky to have her parents as mentors and teachers. She has three children, all of whom learned the pottery tradition from her.