Donna Craven
Seagrove Pre-Conference Artist
*Only Open for Tours during Pre-Conference*
Donna Craven is largely self-taught, but nothing happens in a vacuum. She began as a Seagrove journeyman potter in 1996. She learned the basics by working in various local potteries among which were Humble Mill Pottery and Turn and Burn Pottery. In the summer of 2001 she built a small groundhog kiln. The first kiln opening was held that fall and she have been doing only her own work since then.
In 2010 Craven built a much larger groundhog style kiln that she continues to fire 6 to 8 times a year. Her goal is to create continuity between the form and the surface of a piece in order to bring it to life. She uses a variety of materials and techniques to accomplish this. At the present, taped decorations using manganese, crackle slips and ash glaze are interesting to me. As a direct descendant of Peter Craven, one of the original pottery families of the Seagrove community, she has a deep respect for the integrity of the Seagrove tradition. It has an honest and simple strength that rings true.
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