"When I am sitting at my wheel up to my elbows in clay, I am blissfully unaware of all the things that should make me worried or upset. When someone sips coffee from one of my mugs, or has their morning oatmeal from one of my bowls, it is my hope that I communicate to them the feelings of contentment and peace I felt when making the pot. I hope that my pots might enhance the daily rituals of preparing, sharing and eating food.
I finish my pots in the wood salt kiln because I love exploring the element of controlled chance. And I have always been intrigued with, and admired and respected the mystical surfaces of pots decorated by fire, ash and salt. I continue to be more and more excited about clay as I experience first hand the relationships not only between my spirit and the medium; but also between the surfaces of the pots and the intense and complex atmosphere of my kiln. It is important to me not only to carry on the tradition of creating functional pottery using traditional and historical techniques, but to also continue to develop the individual style that will hopefully establish my place among potters, past and present. I want to make well crafted and quiet pots. Pots that have a job. I don’t want the pots displayed on a shelf. I want them pulled out of the cupboard every day for use in the home and kitchen."
Allison makes wood-fire salt glaze pots at the Pottery at Searchwell, her home and studio in Boonsboro, Maryland. She currently teaches throwing lessons and leads wood-firing workshops at her studio. Her pots have been included in numerous national and international exhibitions, including Salt Glazed Ceramics in Germany, and the Orton Cone Box Show and the Strictly Functional Show here in the states.
| Experience | |
| January 2001 to Present |
The Pottery at Searchwell Boonsboro, Maryland Full-time Wood-fire Salt-glaze Potter: Moved to Washington County from Frederick County to establish my pottery (originally named Coles Pottery). Restored stone cottage on property for studio and built single chamber catenary arch wood-fired kiln. |
| December 2008 |
Bill van Gilder’s Frederick Pottery School Throwing Demonstration |
| June 2000 to October 2000 |
Bill van Gilder’s Frederick Pottery School 5305 Jefferson Pike Frederick, Maryland Instructor |
| January 2000 to October 2000 |
van Gilder Pottery Gapland, Maryland Apprentice and Pottery Assistant to Bill van Gilder |
| Spring 2000 |
Monocacy Pottery Thurmont, Maryland Pottery Assistant to John Thies |
| June 1998 to January 2000 |
Hood College Ceramic Program Frederick, Maryland Director's Assistant |
| Education | |
| 2001 |
Hood College Frederick, Maryland Bachelor of Arts, with Studio Minor |
| 1983 to 1986 |
Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia Studied Art Education and Painting and Printmaking |
| 1983 |
Howard Community College Columbia, Maryland Associate Degree in Art |
| Publications, etc. | |
| February 2011 |
Ceramics Monthly Aesthetics and Environment by Denise Joyal |
| November 2008 |
Smart Company Handcrafting A Living by Mike Clem |
| Winter 2007 |
Elegant Living Spinning Charm on A Potter's Wheel by David Thompson |
| Summer 2006 | Saltglaze Ceramics 2006 |
| June 2005 |
Clay Times Salt and Soda - A Contemporary Look by Joe Campbell |
| April 2005 |
Hagerstown Community College Ceramic Dept. Guest artist, gave lecture and slide presentation on wood firing and my pottery. |
| March 2005 |
Frederick Gazette Salt and Soda Combine to Make Memorable Exhibit by Mary Ellen Mitchell |
| February 2005 |
Frederick Magazine Following the Flow of Her Life by Jennifer Mellace |
| November 2004 |
Frederick Magazine Crafts in the Valley by Jennifer Mellace |
| October 2004 |
The Daily Herald Fired Up: The Re-Emergence of Wood Fired Kilns by Chris Copley |