Friday, July 25, 2008

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.

Friday, July 18, 2008

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.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Cheryl Sanders

Cheryl Sanders was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina in 1958. Her parents were Melvin and Margie Sanders. She learned to make pottery by watching her grandmother. After marrying Bryan Sanders, the two learned from each other. She started making pottery in 1990. She says that pottery making helps her relax, she also finds that it is a good source of income. She believes that it is important to carry on the tradition and knows that when her grandchildren see her making pottery, they know it is important to their heritage. Her signature pieces are the horse and snake pots. In order to carry on the tradition, she teaches her children and grandchildren the art form.

Friday, July 4, 2008

Eric Canty

Eric Canty was born August 20th 1955 at the York County Hospital in South Carolina. His parents are Alonzo George Canty and Virginia Margaret Moses Canty. Eric learned the tradition from Larry Brown and Troy Canty. He began making pottery in May of 2007 and is already showing great promise. He enjoys the heritage of pottery making, he also finds that it is relaxing. His signature pieces include flower vases, canoes, and bowls. He plans to continue the heritage by teaching his daughter and any other Catawbas interested in learning. Eric Canty also does beadwork, and makes quivers and bows.