Business Details
42 Years
experience
Handcrafted Ceramics & Pottery Studio in Oak Ridge, NC
David Cole Pottery was founded by David Cole, a dedicated artist whose passion for ceramics began in childhood. With formal training from Barton College and the NC School of the Arts, David has honed his craft through decades of practice, overcoming personal challenges while perfecting techniques in pottery, glazing, and kiln building. The studio combines traditional methods with innovative design, offering handcrafted ceramics that reflect both technical mastery and artistic vision. David's work has been influenced by renowned artists through workshops at the Penland School of Arts, ensuring each piece embodies quality and creativity. The studio operates as a family-run business, maintaining transparency and commitment to excellence in every creation.Open to the public, the retail showroom provides direct access to David's unique pottery collection. The business balances artistic integrity with community engagement, sharing its journey through a mailing list and social media. David's resilience and dedication to his craft underscore the studio's mission to inspire through art. The pottery reflects years of experience in both functional and decorative ceramics, emphasizing durability and aesthetic appeal. Every piece is crafted with attention to detail, ensuring customers receive works that are both beautiful and enduring.
Services
Pottery Creation
Ceramic Artworks
Custom Commissions
Art Workshops
Retail Showroom
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- We have over 40 years of experience in ceramic arts and pottery.
- Our work combines traditional techniques with innovative design principles.
- We offer direct access to artists through our public retail showroom.
- Our kiln-building expertise ensures durable, high-quality ceramic pieces.
- We maintain transparency in our creative process and pricing.
Services
Pottery Creation
We craft unique pottery using traditional wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques. Our process includes clay preparation, glazing, and high-fire kiln finishing. Each piece combines functionality with artistic design for everyday use and decorative purposes.
Ceramic Artworks
Our studio produces decorative ceramic artworks featuring intricate designs and experimental glazing methods. These pieces showcase artistic innovation while maintaining structural integrity. We incorporate both modern and historical ceramic art influences in our creations.
Custom Commissions
We create custom ceramic pieces tailored to client specifications. This service includes collaborative design development and material selection. Our team ensures each commissioned work meets functional requirements while achieving aesthetic goals through personalized craftsmanship.
Art Workshops
We offer hands-on pottery workshops for all skill levels. Instruction covers basic wheel techniques, glazing fundamentals, and kiln operation. Participants learn through direct guidance from experienced ceramic artists in a fully equipped studio environment.
Retail Showroom
Our public showroom displays a curated selection of available pottery and ceramic artworks. Visitors can view and purchase finished pieces directly from the studio. The space provides insight into our creative process with examples of different ceramic techniques and styles.
People
David Cole
Owner & Lead Potter
David Cole is a professional ceramic artist with over 40 years of experience. He studied at Barton College and the NC School of the Arts, specializing in pottery techniques. His work reflects decades of practice in clay artistry.
Questions
What types of pottery do you create?
We produce functional tableware, decorative art pieces, and custom ceramic commissions using traditional wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques.
Do you offer pottery classes?
Yes, we provide hands-on workshops covering basic wheel techniques, glazing, and kiln operation for all skill levels in our studio.
Can I visit your studio in person?
Our retail showroom is open to the public Thursday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm at 4541 Peeples Road, Oak Ridge, NC.
Do you accept custom pottery orders?
Yes, we create custom ceramic pieces based on client specifications with collaborative design development and personalized craftsmanship.
How long have you been making pottery?
David Cole has practiced ceramic arts for over 40 years, studying at Barton College and the NC School of the Arts since the 1980s.
What makes your pottery unique?
Our work combines traditional techniques with innovative design, using high-fire glazes and kiln-building expertise to create durable, artistic ceramic pieces.
Reviews (1)
Dale Gerstenberger
Sep 14, 2019
Report
Awesome artist. Love his work and the quality is second to none. Definitely a favorite I stop at every time I pass through NC.
