Potters Market at the Mint
September 27, 2025
Jenny Lou Sherburne Pottery, Bakersville NC
I work in porcelain and earthenware, throwing and hand building forms that I stack, pinch or dart. My work through functional, often pushes the boundaries of practicality. Still, with ornate textures and vivid colors my pieces are fun to use and to display. I work hard to enjoy making my pots.
I like to remind myself that life is indeed a gift. Making pots helps me to both remember and celebrate this belief. The process of exploring and reinventing within the inherent parameters of functional pottery inspires me to explore and question my assumptions within the inherent parameters of daily living as well. My influences range from the Land of Oz to the Isle of Crete, from Antonio Gaudi to Dr. Seuss. I use lavish textures and embellishments to underscore and make obvious the time and devotion I put into each piece. The organic forms both lumpy and lyrical, the sometimes ungainly proportions or the quirky feet are really all about the fun I have in the process of making. My use of color is simply an overt reference to joy. I want what I make to reflect my ideal, that our lives can be be imbued with energy and joy, and that it can be communicated and shared. That hope is what helps me move forward.