Keith Brown

Keith Brown was born in Rock Hill SC on March 23rd 1951; he is a member of the Catawba Indian Nation who grew up on the Reservation. Keith is the son of Ruby Ayers and William Brown, both Catawba. His family was one of the last large families on the Reservation; Keith has six sisters and three brothers.Keith went to school at the last Catawba School House.

He grew up watching his grandmother and other tribal members make pottery. He would frequently help her prepare clay and burn her pottery. Keith first made pottery in 1976, while attending a pottery class. Keith also had the responsibility of digging and mixing clay. He served twenty years in the Army. He helped to organize and served as president of the American Indian Association at Ft. Stewart, Georgia. Keith retired from the Army in 1993 and moved back to the reservation. Keith has worked as the Exhibits Coordinator for the Catawba Cultural Preservation Project since June 1995. Keith has done demonstrations at the Atlanta History Center, The McKissick Museum, as well as at the Catawba Cultural Center. Keith is a student at The South Carolina Institute of Community Scholars in the Traditional Arts. He specializes in clay effigy pipes.

Florence Wade

Florence was born April 28th 1922. Her parents were David Adam Harris Sr. and Dorothy Minerva Price Harris. Her father was chief of the Catawba Naion for about 20 years. Florence learned to make pottery from her older sisters Jennie, Edith, Fanny, and Sara Ayers, who learned from their grandmother. She started making pottery as a young girl, and any mistakes that were made were corrected by her sisters. As a teenager Florence wold bild pieces for her sister to sell at the Cherokee Reservation. She continued working in pottery until she began working in the public secter. Thirty years later, she retired and began work again in pottery, in order to spread the tradition. She gets great satisfaction from pottery in knowing that she is carrying on the tradition of her ancestors. She loves making Pitchers and considers them to be her signature piece. However, the most valuable piece to her is the peace pipe because it has brought various cultures together throughout time. She carries on the tradition by teaching her own children and grandchildren as well as others. She also does pottery demonstrations for visiting groups at the Catawba Cultural Center. She believes that it is very important that we follow the culture of our ancestors and she continues using the same rubbing rock that her grandmother, Sara Harris, used. Florence Wade is considered a Master Potter.

Mohavie Bryson

Mohavie Bryson was born on September 15th 1937 on the Catawba Reservation. Her parents were John Idle Sanders and Arzada Sanders. Mohavie learned to make pottery from her mother. As a child, Mohavie helped her mother by rubbing her pots. She remembers that her mother used to sell her pottery at Cherokee in the summer in order to make an income. She also recalls that her grandmother used to trade her pottery for necessities. Mohavie really began making pottery on a more regular basis in 1999. She enjoys being able to create a beautiful art form out of something so insubstantial. Her signature piece is the traditional wedding jug.

Beulah Harris

Beulah Harris was born on February 11th , 1929 in Gaston County. Her parents were Emory Thomas and Cleo Thomas. She learned to make pottery from her great-grandmother Sally Gordon. She also learned from Sara Ayers, Georgia Harris, Viola Harris, Nola Campbell and Artemis Harris. She began making pottery when she was seven years old. She enjoys everything about making pottery but especially, how much it relaxes her. Beulah's signature pieces are the peace pipe, wedding jug, and small round bowl. She is passing the craft on to the next generation by teaching her children and great-grandchildren.