Rising Sun's Resident Potter
Gary Lee has been a studio potter for 23 years and has managed Rising Sun Pottery full time since November 2000 when he retired from his day job to become a full-time potter and business owner. His love for pottery began while
living in Charlotte, NC when he started turning clay under the guidance of regionally and nationally known potter Lambeth Marshall of Waxhaw, NC. Later Gary continued his pottery education with Sprirt Square Clayworks
instructors Leon Nichols and Doug Blythe while a member of the organization's clay Co-op. Gary taught pottery
classes at the Co-op for four years before purchasing Rising Sun Pottery in
December 1999. He then moved to Lincolnton in July 2000 and retired from
BellSouth (33 years/33 days) in November of that year.
Gary has attended numerous workshops over the years and continues that
practice today in his quest for continuing education. With a philosophy of "to be
able to teach, you must be willing to learn", Gary conveys this knowledge to both
his students and studio members. The list of workshops attended is a "who's
who" of the pottery world: Tom and Elaine Coleman, Randy Brodnax, Robin
Hopper, Rudy Audio, Janet Mansfield, Ron Myers, Frank Boyden, Michael Sherrill,
Steven Hill, Peter Rose, Matt Long, Marcia Selsor, Steven Branfman, Cynthia
Bringle, Bill van Gilder, the list continues..........
Charlotte, North Carolina. During this time, Gary has rarely missed a meeting and has held most officer positions in addition to chairing the Barn Sale committee for several years. The guild meets once a month for a business/demonstration meeting. The Guild is host to a fee paid two day workshop each February and in July, hosts a one day "free to members" workshop. These workshops bring some of the best known and respected potters in the country to Charlotte. The Guild organizes two pottery sales for Guild members, one each in the spring and fall. The Carolina ClayMatters Pottery Festival, as it is now called, is open to all members who meet the eligibility requirements.
For the past 14 years, Gary has attended the North Carolina Potters Conference held each March in Asheboro, NC where conference organizer Dwight Holland excels at bringing some of the world's foremost potters to North Carolina.
A trip to the NC conference is not complete until you have experienced Saturday night when Dwight, who has one of
the largest private pottery collections ever seen, invites all attendees to his house for an old-fashioned BBQ and a chance to view his collection. And afterwards, if you are a Carolina fan, stick around for the ball game! Be sure to attend the 25th NC Potters Conference, March 2-4, 2012 in Asheboro NC. Contact the Randolph Art Guild at arts@asheboro.com for more information.
Each year Gary attends the yearly workshop hosted by NC potter Dan Finch at his Finch Pottery studio in Bailey, NC. These workshops are legend among potters for the diversity and talent Dan brings to his studio each year.
Additionally these workshops provide a social gathering for the attending potters who share ideas, renew friendships, learn new exciting techniques and, enjoy the fantastic meals provided by Dan's family, students and other community members.
Each July and September, Gary organizes week-long workshops at Wildacres Retreat
Conference Center in Little Switzerland, NC. In July, to assist with teaching , Gary now brings
an established potter who teaches the majority of the workshops. This frees him up for things
such as making sure that the blender is working properly for making Margaritas, and the CD
player is loaded with Jimmy Buffet, etc..... As we all know, "it's always 5 o'clock somewhere!"
At the September workshop, Gary provides the instruction, tailoring it to meet each potter's skill level.
Once a year, Gary attends John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC for a week-long wood-
fire/glaze making workshop taught by friend and potter Peter Rose of Knoxville, Tennessee.
As you can see, Gary's commitment to learning and sharing that knowlege is the foundation of
Rising Sun's operation. Call Rising Sun today to find out how you can start a creative journey in clay!
209 South Academy Street Lincolnton, North Carolina 28092
Phone: 704-735-5820 Fax: 704-736-1060 Email: risingsunpottery@bellsouth.net
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