Ellen Sedgwick Pottery
Surry

Overview

I have been making pots for over 20 years and apprenticed with a few woodfire potters along the way. Early on I studied at both Penland and Haystack and took various workshops with established potters when I could. The teaching and work of Hamada and Leach were strong influences from the beginning and something of that essence seems to have remained to this day. I am also inspired by contemporary woodfire potters and love seeing the pots that others make. I make functional pots on my treadle wheel and am constantly looking at form and surface and how the pot feels when it is used. I designed and built a 12 foot anagama kiln and have established a small crew of apprentices/potters to help fire it. The kiln fires with solely wood for about a week and reaches temperatures above 2200°. I am so grateful to be living my dream and for all of the learning ahead. I live in Surry Maine with my husband and our 3 young children.

Artist Statement

I make pots to find meaning. There is a sense of presence and timelessness that I feel when making and firing my pottery and I believe this is contained within the final piece. In today’s world of stress and constant activity there is a need and a want to slow down and really feel the present moment and I think the pots do that. When you interact with a pot in your life it makes you pause and notice the line, the surface, how it feels in your hand. It makes you notice the food you’re eating out of it and it adds a quality to that experience. I am fascinated by the elements of wood and fire and intrigued with the surfaces that are created. To me there is an aliveness held within the pot, that is my passion. My pots are daily pieces. They are sturdy and useful and add beauty to the everyday.