On Saturday, March 8, John Jessiman, Resident Director of the Cub Creek Foundation opened the pottery to visitors. Located in far southern Appomattox County on Wheeler Spring Road, the Foundation provides studio space and housing for resident students who work primarily in clay.
At any given time there will be up to six students from all over the world who occupy studio space. They pay $225.00 per month for their studio and an additional $225.00 for room and board. Jessiman, a fine clay artist in his own right, provides instruction and guidance to the resident students. Their finished work is offered for sale at the pottery and in local Appomattox shops.
On March 8 Cat Babbie, a Fredricksburg, Virginia, native who is moving on to another resident fellowship in Charlotte, North Carolina at the end of the month, displayed her tiles and clay boxes. She is influenced strongly by the natural world and many of her designs incorporate bird and plant motifs.
Another clay artist, Dan Molyneux, creates large, modernistic slab-build pots with stark geometric lines. He has studied in India, Japan, and China. Dan hails from Eureka, California, and is heading up to South Dartmouth, Massachusetts to another internship when his time at Cub Creek ends. His work is influenced by the opposing conceptual influences between the sacred and political worlds.
Drew Avakian has been resident at Cub Creek Foundation Pottery since 2007 and he feels that his experiences here, within a supportive and instructive atmosphere, have helped to prepare him for graduate school.
Student Erik Wilhelm was kind enough to demonstrate how to use a kick wheel to throw a pot. Kick wheels represent a fairly modern method for making pots, but have been around for a very long time. It takes great skill to maintain the correct speed to bring up the sides of the pot.
The Cub Creek Foundation offers an unusual and remarkable experience for both fledging and experienced clay artists. Surrounded by the beautiful woods and fields of Appomattox County as well as by the experiences they bring with them to their residences here, students are able to experiment with a myriad of different methods to finalize their visions. Native clay is available in the surrounding area, which lends a genuinely earthy affect to the finished pots.
Jessiman, originally from central New York State, has always been a clay artist and Arabian horse breeder. When he became sick of the cold New York winters he decided to head south, “I tossed my snow shovel in the trunk and drove south until no one recognized it!” John explained. In fact, he spent a year searching the central Atlantic states until he found the perfect property for his school. It was Appomattox’s good fortune to be that right place.
While he no longer nurtures young Arabians he does take seriously his current job of nurturing young clay artists and preparing them for success in the world. To this end the Cub Creek Foundation was formed in 2001 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations are fully tax-deductible.
Interested students or supporters should contact John Jessiman at the Cub Creek Foundation and Pottery, 4871 Wheeler Spring Road, Appomattox, VA 24522. Phone: (434)248-5074.
Images: Top image shows John Jessiman in his home speaking to open house attendees. The second photo shows Cat Babbie surounded by her work in the studio. Both photos taken by Pamela Matlack Klein.
[...] potters, including students at the Cub Creek Foundation, are encouraged to bring their work to the store for display and sale. Food and drink is frequently [...]