Friday, May 14, 2010

"Potters' Potluck" at the Comptons' in Vermont




Potter Bob Compton and his wife Christine host an annual "Potters Potluck" at their home and pottery in Bristol, Vt. I've heard about it for years, but the time was always wrong to go up and be part of it. This year's different, though, so we're headed north tomorrow morning to join a group of potters from around New England (and maybe nearby NY state) for some pottery talk, a discussion of Shino and Celadon glazes, a bit of a pottery yard sale and some good food and drink. I'm bringing clams (dug a couple of days ago with Mike and Tammy Race) for steaming in wine and garlic, and a batch of red New Mexico chile.
I've known Bob and Christine for about 10 years and took a long weekend "Big Pots Workshop" with him a few summers ago. (The absolute cure for too much Cape Cod summer congestion is to drive to rural north-central Vermont for a couple of days and commune with the apple trees and the neighboring sheep.) Bob's a prolific potter and a prolific builder of wood kilns. He's got ... I don't know ... maybe six kilns on the property? Maybe more. I haven't been up there for a while.
And Christine is a fine weaver of wool and other fibers. Take a look at their website at robertcomptonpottery.com.
We'll stay overnight, then return home via Brattleboro, Vt., where there is good, cheap wine and cheese.
Photos: Top, Bob and Christine in front of their place, a multi-chambered noborigama and some pots, and the neck of a lovely blue pot.


12 comments:

cookingwithgas said...

Oh- that looks like great fun and sounds tasty as well!

Hollis Engley said...

It should be both, Meredith. Looking forward to it.

Anna M. Branner said...

They sound like a super pair! And rural VT sounds better then No Va on a hot day like today!

Hollis Engley said...

Having experienced both, Anna, I can tell you for certain that Vermont is the better of the two places. At least this weekend.

Anna M. Branner said...

Just visited their website. What a fantastic place! They must have a ton of energy and motivation....

Lori Buff said...

I'm envious, I have spent a lot of time looking at their website, it sounds like a great time with great folks. Enjoy.

Dan Finnegan said...

I would like that last pot, please. Thank-you.

ang design said...

oooh shino and celedon i want to go!! i have had some pics of robert doing large pots up at the club for reference glad to know there's room for 6 kilns on his property..

Hollis Engley said...

I'll see if it's available, Dan. Nice, isn't it?
And yes, Lori, it should be fun. There's no doubt room for you, Angela. If you get on a plane now, you could make it by Sunday.

Dan Finnegan said...

Iris had a makeover, Horace...hip glasses and a slinky dress (And as John said, she is zaftig!) Her mug, sadly, was of the dreaded white slipcast variety.

gz said...

Good to see them well. I met Robert Compton when he was the visiting potter at a North Wales Potters' meeting held at David and Margaret Frith's pottery (1995?)
One of the best meets we had

togeii said...

That potluck sounds like it is worth coming over from Japan for. Maybe sometime in the future.
Dave