Penny Woolsey

A lifetime resident of Denver, Colorado, Penny Woolsey is a studio potter and an educator of the ceramic arts. She has enjoyed teaching ceramics to people ranging in age from 3 to 87 for the past 20+ years. In addition to ceramics, Penny currently teaches fused glass and precious metal clay jewelry classes in Denver.

Woolsey has pursued a directed education in the ceramic arts. Her work has been exhibited in local and regional juried art shows. She has been an active member of the Colorado Potters Guild since 2008.

My dad always told me that golf is something that you can do your whole life. I really didn’t understand what he was saying until I started playing the game. Working with clay is the same in that it’s going to take a lifetime to get this thing down and to make the perfect pot. I have yet to make a hole-in-one or make the perfect pot, but it's the good shots and happy pots that keep me coming back for more.

I tell my students that the journey with clay is like learning to play an instrument. You don’t sit down and play beautiful music the first time you try. For most people, it takes years of practice, patience, and persistence to become proficient. It is the same process as we embark upon our journey with clay.

To me, success as a potter is sharing the joy of making pottery, and making pottery that brings people joy.