Potters' Tour
Smicksburg
Pottery
Betty Hedman
105 Kittanning St., PO Box
150
Smicksburg, PA 16256-0150
877-640-7315
smickspot@hotmail.com
Directions: from Rte. 85 in Plumville:
1. Take 954 North-6 miles to Smicksburg
2. Brick Building on left--sign in front
Smicksburg
Pottery:
Betty is celebrating her 10th anniversary of Smicksburg Pottery. Begun in 1996 as a sales gallery, she has since added a terraced garden, studio and kilns. The gallery is chock full of paintings, prints, fine woodworking, jewelry, textiles, hand blown glass, handcart bronze and steel bells, but mostly pottery.
She markets the work of over fifty artisans. And in keeping with her philosophy of “keeping the money close to home,” most of her artisans are local. The garden includes a water garden with it’s own carrot fountain, sculpture, birdhouses, feeders and baths plus other garden related items. Her studio faces her garden and Old Smicksburg Park, both constant nourishment and inspiration associated with her pottery.
Betty has an
industrial electric kiln and built a gas fired salt kiln and raku kiln.
A wood fired kiln is slated for construction this summer. Besides her
line of production pottery, Betty creates art pottery: fun and funky
with just enough appearance of function.
When visiting her shop, ask to pet the rabbit and then you will understand Betty's Rabbit pieces. Click here to see more pictures.
Betty Hedman - Artist's Statement:
A passion for creating just about anything, pottery’s immediacy and instant gratification drew Betty into its grasp. A sucker for process, she explored many types of clays and firings.
“I prefer the look and durability of stoneware for most of my work.” The natural, earthy look of salt and wood fired pottery has always been my first choice in firings. “It always invites one to touch.” And that is the beauty of pottery: to bring it to the oven, to the table, to the lips…personal art. You can’t get more personal than that.
To see more pictures of Betty's latest pottery, click here.
