A painter creates art through brush strokes on canvas. A writer produces a visual image through words. What begins as a gray blob of clay comes to life in the hands of a potter.
“I love the texture of clay, the way it responds to your hands. It’s a friendly and quiet material which suits my personality perfectly,” explains Matt Henderson.
He retired a few weeks ago after serving as the longest artist in residence at Mark of the Potter.
The road to Georgia
Matt Henderson grew up in the wide-open spaces of El Paso, Texas. Cactus and mesquite thrive in the bone dry climate. Sometimes, so do potters.
He was introduced to the medium as a senior in high school. When he entered college, Matt found the Arts Department “straight away” and pursued a degree in Arts Education.
“It was serendipitous. The University of North Texas has a great pottery program. I fell in love working with clay.”
His abilities led his professor to introduce him to Jay Bucek, owner of Mark of the Potter. Bucek needed a resident potter for what was quickly becoming a successful outlet for handmade pottery. When Matt graduated, Bucek made the trip back to Texas and soon after Matt traveled to the backroads to Northeast Georgia.
“That was 1987 when I traded the sandy soil of Texas for the lush green of Georgia. I lived in a little brick house across from Mark of the Potter. It was a little claustrophobic at first.”
The Georgia adventure only lasted a year before Matt headed to Michigan for a teaching job. After four years of Saginaw winters, he returned to Clarkesville and the serenity of the Soque River.
“This is home now.”
Building a legacy
“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.” -Normal Maclean
The Soque River is the only river in Georgia to begin and end all within one county, Habersham. It’s renowned as one of the finest trout streams in the Southeast. In 1928, Robert Watts and his father Allen “Grandpa” Watts constructed their mill. It was about the only business around during the Depression.
Years later, the mill was bought and repaired from flood damage. A studio was built and Mark of the Potter opened in 1969, a place where artists could produce and sell pottery. More than 50 years later, the river still runs through it and merges the outside beauty to the beauty being created on the inside.
In that time, Matt Henderson has enhanced the legacy of Mark of the Potter for 35 of those 50 years.
“The mountains, trees, river, the waterfall at the Mill, it’s just a beautiful place. Being able to make pottery in that setting was a thrill.”
It’s become a destination location for those searching for high quality, functional art and according to Mark of the Potter, “Matt Henderson’s contribution to the success has been immeasurable.”
His work is sought after and collected by those who appreciate his ability to raise functional pottery into fine art.
Pottery at his pace
Matt and his wife, Cindy Angliss who is also a potter, will work out of their own pottery studio in the future in Clarkesville.
“I’m taking a little break but I’ll be piddling around a little with some honey-do projects, but I already have a goal for my pottery.”
The Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation in Watkinsville hosts a variety of various art medium events during the year. From August 28 through September 12, Perspectives Georgia Pottery Invitational will showcase the works of 50 Georgia potters. Matt and his wife Cindy will be working on pottery which will be displayed and for sale during the show. Click here for more information.
As he always told his students when teaching pottery, “Clay comes to life on the wheel. It moves and morphs into a creation. Just keep doing it and follow the opportunities.”
