W. J. Gordy
Encyclopedia
W. J. "Bill" Gordy was an American potter based in Cartersville
, Georgia
, who has won several awards and honours for his work. Trained as a folk potter, he branched off and created a style uniquely his own. His work is well known and loved by people throughout the country and by the people in his community.
in 1910. His father was a potter who owned his own business in Alvaton, Georgia. He learned to make pottery by watching the men his father had hired from all over the United States as they made primarily butter churns, jars, pitchers and jugs. He left his father's shop and worked in several pottery businesses in North Carolina and Georgia, seeing and learning new techniques. These experiences helped him develop his own extraordinary style. He served on a destroyer in the Navy during World War II
, and enjoyed traveling to different ports and seeing the local pottery. Gordy was married to Jewell Gordy and together, they had three daughters and two sons. He opened his own pottery studio in 1935, in Cartersville, where he made the pottery while his wife handled the business and sales. He was a lifetime member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild
, and was also an instructor at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina
.
and Sir John Wedgwood visited him in his studio and purchased several sets of pottery from him. Gordy not only had his own signature style of pottery, but also created his own blend of clay and exclusive glazes. He was the first Georgian potter to use colors in his glazes.
since 1940. He received the Governor's Award in the Arts in 1983 and the Heritage Award from Bartow County. Encyclopædia Britannica
lists W. J. Gordy as the "foremost potter in the southeastern United States". This heritage is survived by his grandson, Darrell Adams.
Cartersville, Georgia
Cartersville is a town in Bartow County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 19,7314. The city is the county seat of Bartow County.-Geography:Cartersville was named for Colonel Farish Carter....
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, who has won several awards and honours for his work. Trained as a folk potter, he branched off and created a style uniquely his own. His work is well known and loved by people throughout the country and by the people in his community.
Biography
Gordy was born in Aberdeen, GeorgiaAberdeen, Georgia
Aberdeen is a village in Peachtree City, Georgia, United States. The village is centred at Flat Creek Road and Northlake Drive.-Shopping:Westpark Walk Shopping Center Westpark Drive Aberdeen Village Shopping Center Highway 54 and Northlake Drive...
in 1910. His father was a potter who owned his own business in Alvaton, Georgia. He learned to make pottery by watching the men his father had hired from all over the United States as they made primarily butter churns, jars, pitchers and jugs. He left his father's shop and worked in several pottery businesses in North Carolina and Georgia, seeing and learning new techniques. These experiences helped him develop his own extraordinary style. He served on a destroyer in the Navy during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and enjoyed traveling to different ports and seeing the local pottery. Gordy was married to Jewell Gordy and together, they had three daughters and two sons. He opened his own pottery studio in 1935, in Cartersville, where he made the pottery while his wife handled the business and sales. He was a lifetime member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild
Southern Highland Craft Guild
Southern Highland Craft Guild is a guild craft organization that has partnered with the National Park Service for over fifty years. The Guild represents over 1000 craftspeople in 293 counties of 9 southeastern states. It operates five retail craft shops and two annual craft expositions which...
, and was also an instructor at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina
Brasstown, North Carolina
Brasstown is an unincorporated community in Clay County, North Carolina, United States.-Possum Drop:The Possum Drop is an annual event at convenience store organized by proprietors Clay and Judy Logan. At midnight on New Year's Eve, instead of dropping an object, a plexiglass pyramid containing a...
.
Style
Gordy was one of the first potters in Georgia to transition from the common functional, utilitarian style to an artistic style. Some people consider him a folk potter, but while he may have begun his career making folk pottery, he developed a style that was quite unique. While still being functional, his pottery is beautiful enough to be displayed as art. He sold to his neighbors, as well as to people throughout the country. Both Cornelius VanderbiltCornelius Vanderbilt
Cornelius Vanderbilt , also known by the sobriquet Commodore, was an American entrepreneur who built his wealth in shipping and railroads. He was also the patriarch of the Vanderbilt family and one of the richest Americans in history...
and Sir John Wedgwood visited him in his studio and purchased several sets of pottery from him. Gordy not only had his own signature style of pottery, but also created his own blend of clay and exclusive glazes. He was the first Georgian potter to use colors in his glazes.
Awards and Legacy
Gordy's pottery has been on display in the Smithsonian InstitutionSmithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
since 1940. He received the Governor's Award in the Arts in 1983 and the Heritage Award from Bartow County. Encyclopædia Britannica
Encyclopædia Britannica
The Encyclopædia Britannica , published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., is a general knowledge English-language encyclopaedia that is available in print, as a DVD, and on the Internet. It is written and continuously updated by about 100 full-time editors and more than 4,000 expert...
lists W. J. Gordy as the "foremost potter in the southeastern United States". This heritage is survived by his grandson, Darrell Adams.