Ancient traditions are rekindled in the contemporary ceramic work of Alberta Pottery
History buffs. Studio artists. Husband and wife. For Alberta Pottery co-founders Erin and Jason Hall, every day spent in the studio playing with mud marries invention with ancient tradition.
“Our background is in both ceramics and sculpture, so we approach our work as fine artists rather than as a production-focused pottery studio,” says Erin. “Our stoneware pieces translate time-honored techniques into the modern day.” The Greenville natives met in the clay studio at Clemson University and fell in love while teaching art on a Princess Cruise to Alaska. After years of running separate studios, they joined forces to open Alberta Pottery full-time in 2014.
The duo is among the few ceramicists who still use a propane-fired outdoor kiln, which burns at a blistering 2,375°F and where fluctuations in atmospheric pressure add to the one-of-a-kind final look of each piece. “We mix all of our glazes from different minerals from around the world. Our clay body also contains a small amount of iron, which gives our work a speckled look as that iron burns through the glaze,” reveals Jason.
Alberta Pottery Techniques
The rich history of their chosen art form is preserved in each new piece the Halls create. “One of the things that sets our work apart here in Greenville is that we haven’t had to adjust our glaze recipes for [contemporary] electric kilns, which fire at lower temperatures,” he says. “That means we can use Ming Dynasty glazes—or the first white glaze from Japan, called Chino, which dates back to 1500 A.D. There’s a depth to these glazes that you just don’t get from lower temperatures.”
“I’m inspired by so much of what is found in the natural world,” says Erin. “We don’t use heavy metals in our glazes, and our clay is batch-tested for anything that would cause problems. The idea is a product that can connect us back to our humanity—people were using ceramics to store grain at the dawn of civilization.” All of Alberta Pottery’s functional work is non-toxic and food, microwave, and dishwasher safe, though washing it by hand is recommended.
Not only is the Halls’ work richly textured and visually striking, it is made to last. “Everything today is so disposable—your new cell phone is already out of date as soon as you get it,” says Jason, who has long been fascinated by cultural symbols of heirloom quality craftsmanship, like Fabergé eggs or the precious objects that appear on Antiques Roadshow.
“I want art to be accessible to people. You don’t need to know about Korean art history, vitrification, or Wedgewood cones to enjoy blueberries and cottage cheese out of a favorite bowl. We see Alberta Pottery as being artistic work that elevates everyday moments,” Jason adds, nodding to the intentionally crafted coffee mugs collectors love. “It’s beautiful on a wall, but you can’t really drink out of a painting or a woodcut.”
Globally Collected
The duo’s work can be found in homes and museums as far away as Japan, Italy, Scotland, and Australia.
By the Numbers
1 ton| The estimated amount of clay Alberta Pottery uses per year
2,375°F | Firing temperature of their large cone 10 kiln
150 | How many pieces are fired at one time
In addition to popping up outside Garner’s Natural Life, you can find Erin and Jason’s work in Greenville at the Grand Bohemian Lodge and Laurel Creek Frame Shop. Learn more at albertapottery.com.
