Mark Peters

Thrown & Altered Forms

This two day demonstration workshop will focus on throwing, altering, and assembling a wide range of functional pottery forms. Mark will combine throwing and handbuilding techniques to make oval, square and rectangular pots. Some of the forms demonstrated will include plates, platters, pitchers, bowls, lidded jars and teapots. Mark will stress a fresh and spontaneous approach to form and surface

In addition to the demonstration, participants will learn about wood firing and discuss what makes a good wood-fired pot.

" I try to make pots that have a natural ease to them like the flow of a river or a moss covered boulder," Mark explains.

About Mark Peters

Mark Peters is one of North Carolina's preeminent wood fire potters. His work has been exhibited nationally and featured in Ceramics Monthly. He is a member of several prestigious organizations including the Southern Highland Craft Guild, Toe River Arts Council, and the Potters of the Roan. He holds an MFA from the University of Tennessee, and a BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design. He has taught workshops recently at the Penland School of Crafts, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, John C. Campbell Folk School, Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts, and Appalachian State University.

Mark makes wheel-thrown, wood-fired functional pottery. Much of the work is altered or assembled off the wheel. It takes Mark about six weeks to produce enough work to fill his large kiln. The wood firing process is intensive, taking several days to load the kiln, 20 hours of stoking the fire, and several days of cooling. Flames and wood ash leave their mark on each pot, surprising with soft highlights and bold flashes.