The Colorado Potters Guild was founded as a not-for-profit cooperative to:
Promote individual artistic growth
Provide studio facilities for the members
Promote the artistic standing of the Guild
Contribute to the growth of ceramic arts in Colorado
The Guild was founded in 1964 by eighteen charter members and today has grown and prospered to a membership of 40. The variety in our production reflects as many different styles as there are members. Our charter group consisted of students who had completed courses of ceramic study and found themselves with no facility to continue their work. With encouragement from their instructors, the Colorado Potters Guild was launched. It was the first of its kind in the Denver area and received tremendous support from the community. After outgrowing its first location, the Guild relocated in an old creamery on the now popular block of “old South Pearl”. In 1984 we purchased the building, ensuring a “home” for potters in the future.
Our building provides excellent studio space for the potter. Equipment includes eleven kick wheels, a slab roller, an extruder, a dedicated glaze mixing area, a spray booth, a separate damp room, three electric kilns and three gas kilns for reduction firing, one of which is a vapor kiln. Guild glazes are maintained for use by all members, or a member may choose to mix individual glazes from the full range of chemicals available.
Our membership, whose work ranges from functional to sculptural, reflects a diversity of backgrounds and interests, but all have in common a pride in this organization and a dedication to quality, excellence and personal growth. Although not equipped to accept the beginning potter, the Colorado Potters Guild welcomes members of all expertise. The philosophy is that each person has room to grow, no matter what his/her current level of development. Most important is the desire to work and develop, and a willingness to enter into the cooperative spirit which allows the Guild to function. Applications for membership are always welcome and are reviewed as space becomes available.
The Guild engages with the community through donations of work to various charity fund-raisers. The official Guild charity this year is the Porter Hospice “Soup for the Soul” to which every member contributes. The Guild also supports the Rocky Mountain PBS Auction, Women’s Crisis Center “Empty Bowl” Project, Potters for Peace and the Women’s Bean Project. In May and November, all Guild members join together twice a year to sell our work to the public. Our sales have become very popular and are a great opportunity meet your favorite potters and to find hand crafted pottery made in Colorado.
