ABOUT US ... MEET OUR ARTISTS

The mission of Castle Rock Pottery is to focus on Arts and Crafts design pottery with historical significance, with a goal that each piece will help revitalize the American Art Pottery movement.

Castle Rock Collection of Pottery by Joyce, Loren, and Mike.

introducing joyce anttila

Joyce Anttila has been a potter all her life, and teacher of gifted children for her day job. Joyce has loved playing in mud for as long as she can remember. She enjoys slip casting, hand-building, throwing, and design work. Joyce works with her husband, Jerry who finishes & glazes. They enjoy making Magma Puppies and other designs you'll find in our website, including Bat Vase and production work for all Fred Wills (FW) vases. It has been a grear honor to work with Fred Wills!

JOYCE enjoys writing and researching art history, techniques, and design of early American Art Pottery Artists. One especially inspirational artist was Adelaide Alsop-Robineau, (1865-1929) considered the premier ceramist of the 20th century, as well as publisher of Keramic Studio Magazine for the potter and decorator. The original Magma Puppy mold was made by a student of Adelaide Robineau's who made the famed "Scarab Vase" and was given the honor of Top Female Ceramist of the 20th Century! The original design provenance is attributed to Mildred Clegg, a student and friend of Adelaide's from University City Pottery in St. Louis, Missouri during its heydey (1910-1920). This was the first real university pottery school ... a learning mecca for artists of distinction from the U.S. and France. University City Pottery artists included Taxile Doat, French Porcelain artist, George Julian Zsolnay, Charles Fergus Binns -- considered the Father of American Studio Ceramics, Frederick Rhead, and others.

After we found this mould which was lost for over 60 years, it was repaired and redesigned for quality by Joyce and artists at Van Briggle Pottery in Colorado Springs. It was put into production in 2007 by Castle Rock Pottery.

Joyce Anttila

"Magma Puppy" featured at Van Briggle Studios
by Joyce Anttila

American Arts And Crafts Pottery:
Magma Puppies by Joyce Anttila
Resplendent Quetzal by Joyce Anttila
Studio Vase by Joyce Anttila

introducing Fred Wills - "FW"

Fred Wills, Retired Master Potter, formerly with Van Briggle Pottery in Colorado Springs, CO. Fred's work is loved by collectors nationally and internationally, and he's considered to be the United States' most prolific potter. A true American Craftsman ... Fred Wills is well-respected for his love of the pottery wheel, design ability and talent. Fred retired after 42 years with Van Briggle; lucky for us, he still has the desire to create beautiful American Art pottery! HOT OFF THE PRESS: Fred recently designed three new pottery pieces with Castle Rock Pottery two of which you can currently see on the website.

Platte Wheeler Vase: Green Denim, Black Raspberry, Blue, Green Firewood

introducing loren jones

Loren Jones & "Tea Pot" By Loren Jones

"Hand Thrown Pitcher and Coffee Cup Set" by Loren Jones

CASTLE ROCK POTTERY offers quality pottery by artisan Loren Jones of Fort Collins, Colorado. Loren grew up in Boulder, where he lived until 1992 at which time he and his wife moved to Oregon and started a family. Loren discovered his passion in clay, and began rigorous studied at Oregon College of Arts and Crafts. During his time in Portland, Loren studied with Steven Hill, talented & famous potter, colleague, teacher and friend. Hill is a regular contributor to Ceramics Monthly Magazine and inspired Loren in design & production of fine pottery. In fact, weíre intrigued that Steven might even look in our website from time to time.

LOREN JONES describes himself as fascinated with the almost inexhaustible ways he has found work in the medium of clay. Intrigued by glazes blending and spraying in an endless mass of unique colors, Loren has cultivated an ìeye of the expertî which appeals to those who appreciate art that is 100% Made in the U.S.A. Lorenís art pottery is wheel thrown, altered into unique forms, then glazed with combinations of colors. His pottery reveals coloration that is reminiscent of the oranges and browns of the Grand Canyon and blues that reflect calming waterways with rich dramatic background contrasts.

LOREN'S experience spans more than 15 years. In Portland, Loren worked at Multnomah Arts Center in Portland, as a studio technician, and later, as program coordinator, a position he held until 2007 when he and his family moved back to Colorado. Currently, he is a proud member of the Northern Colorado Potterís Guild. An added bonus: All of Loren's pieces are foodsafe.

introducing mike cowles

Mike Cowles is an outstanding artist and craftsman from the Colorado Springs area. For 7 1/2 years he worked at the world-famous VanBriggle Pottery, most recently as Production Manager. Mike specializes in developing his own unique designs, mould making, production of pottery as well as making his own glazes. He throws pots on the wheel, and enjoys working with porcelain.

Some of his popular designs can be seen on the website: Claw Mug, Bat Bowl, our new Bat Vase, and dragonflies. Some are hand-thrown and some are made with moulds. His popular Bat Bowl was originally designed for the Cave of the Winds as their first commissioned Pottery by Mr. Cowles.

Mike at Work

Bat Bowl & Claw Mugs by Mike Cowles
Dragonfly Vase by Mike Cowles
Feather Bowl by Mike Cowles
Bat Bowl By Mike Cowles

Welcome To Castle Rock Pottery!

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