Pottery of Dorinda Watts Featured at Antiques and the Arts

Many try their hand at a potter's wheel, but few have mastered this art form like Dorinda Watts. During the past six years, Watts has honed and refined her talents to the point of professional status, and has become one of the most sought after potters of stoneware pottery in Tennessee. Proud to call McMinnville home, Watts sells this one-of-a-kind pottery exclusively at Antiques and the Arts located downtown.

Watts began her career watching other potters at craft shows. One day she decided to purchase a potters wheel of her own and began to practice. Later she attended some short courses offered at the Appalachian Center for the Craft. Through a combination of experimenting, practice and some instruction on technique, she fused together a unique style that has already achieved her a "collector status" within her field.

Watts says, "Creating beautiful pieces of pottery was a love first and foremost, but it has turned into a full-time job that has brought many rewards." Watts has been commissioned to do many special projects. For example, she is currently making grease lamps from the 1800s, a one-of-a-kind reproduction with a few changes of her own. She also made the Baptism bowls, Communion set and Chalices for the First United Methodist Church to complete their historic renovation in 2007.

Watts only makes stoneware pottery. Stoneware pottery is oven, microwave and dishwasher safe and has a lead-free glaze. Stoneware clay is fired in natural gas kilns at a temperature of 2,400 degrees F, longer than ordinary pottery. Earthenware, another type of pottery, is fired in electric kilns. The difference in the kilns makes a huge difference. Newest pieces to her collection are: chip and dip bowl, cornbread bakers, casserole dishes, coffee cups and mugs, pitchers, platters and soup / plate settings. For a limited time she also has Warren County collectible bicentennial cups.

Her pieces are highly prized for her color blends and variety of useable stoneware. While Watts only does seven craft shows a year in Tennessee, she is always featured at Antiques and the Arts at 121 East Main Street. Prices vary, but are reasonable.

Want to learn pottery from a Pro? Watts will be teaching Adult Pottery Classes at Antiques and the Arts beginning on Thursday and Tuesday evening, March 27 and April 1, from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Monday and Wednesday morning, March 31 and April 2 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. The classes will be $200 for eight-weeks, plus materials, per person. Each student will have a pottery's wheel.

Sign-ups are at Antiques and the Arts. Spaces are limited, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, call Antiques and the Arts at 121 East Main Street at 931-507-9811.