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Nancy Goodwin

Member Since: 2006

Media Specialties: Clay;

City: Elkin

State: North Carolina

County: Surry County, NC

Bio: My life in clay began early. I grew up in a North Carolina family which appreciated and supported the local traditional potters and filled the cupboards and tables of our home with dishes bought on trips to the pottery shop. I remember watching in awe their treadling wheels spinning dark clay into beautiful, useful objects and surely those experiences led to my love for making things out of clay.

Later in life I took my first ceramic classes as I worked on a college degree in art. In Texas I taught art in public school for several years and later set up a clay studio of my own, making functional stoneware. I was introduced to slip-decorated redware at workshops at Penland and the Southwest Craft Center in San Antonio and began studying and making this ware in the spirit of the English, Moravian and Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants to this country. My motifs, as theirs, were drawn from nature and designs on textiles, woodwork and other traditional crafts. In Texas I found the historic museum venue one place in which to share my knowledge of ceramic history and on my kickwheel could demonstrate somewhat how the early wares were made.

I am attracted to the bright, happy colors, the warmth of the red clay, the variety of decorative possibilities of slip decorating and enjoy exploring motifs to use in making slip-decorated redware that can be attractive in the modern home.

Since moving home to North Carolina and settling in Elkin just as the Yadkin Valley Craft Guild formed , I was delighted to become a member and receive the wonderful encouragement and help that they offer.

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