Pottery Artist

Related Careers

• Ceramist

• Woodcarver

• Model Builder

• Stonemason

• Pattern Maker

The Pottery Artist or Ceramist is involved in the creation of a wide range of ceramic items – from plates and vases to sculptural or architectural pieces. Studio ceramics is a vast field, as there are a variety of textures and colours as well as different firing techniques that can be used.

The Pottery Artist will start any project by designing the item on paper or selecting a suitable design. Clay is prepared, rolled and cut into slabs and joined together. A pottery wheel is used to shape the clay in the desired form. The Pottery Artist then finishes off the item.

The ceramic articles are decorated by means of carving or colouring. After the glaze has been applied, it is glaze-fixed to give it a hard glossy surface.

The Pottery Artist is often responsible for administrative tasks and the purchasing of equipment, clay and glaze. He or she is often also involved in the marketing of ceramic items.