Students from beginner to experienced work alongside one another at John Fulwood’s Kissimmee River Pottery studio, learning a craft while forming friendships.
“It’s a pottery school, and there is a gallery with retail sales — but mostly it’s about the community of clay,” Fulwood said of his studio in the historic Stangl Factory in Flemington. “We’ve celebrated marriages and children’s births, and mourned family members.”
Fulwood, who abandoned his plans for a career in law after taking a pottery course in college, has been making functional pottery for the past 40 years. He moved his studio into the former home of Stangl Pottery in 2011 at 50 Mine Street.
“Students who have been with Fulwood for as long as 15 years readily welcome newcomers,” he said. “Everyone pitches in to help the new people.”
A sale of work by his students offers pottery fans a chance to purchase gifts for friends and family, or for themselves. Their most recent sale was held December 6th through the 8th, and included a well-attended reception. To find out about their next student sale, visit the events section of their website.
“It’s beautiful to see students’ work fill an entire section of shelving and to experience watching their growth,” Fulwood said.
Student Renee DiNizio said, “ I had passed the studio many times on my way to get my coffee, always thinking how I would love to make something beautiful with my own hands. One day, I stepped inside the studio, and I was hooked. Everyone was super friendly and helpful from the start. I love the art and spinning clay is a great way to de-stress. My advice is to try it.”
A review posted on Kissimmee River Pottery’s website sums up the feeling of closeness among Fulwood’s students. “I have been lucky enough to be part of this creative, welcoming community of potters for 10 plus years,” the individual wrote. “Great studio, wonderful people and teachers. You will not find a more welcoming studio anywhere!”
For more information, visit Kissimmee River Pottery online
This article originally appeared in the Holiday and Winter Guide to Flemington. Reprinted with permission from the Bucks County Herald.
