Nan Rothwell began teaching clay classes at the Bay School in 2015. Her next class, Take Your Throwing To The Next Level, will be Saturday & Sunday, August 5 & 6 9:30am - 5pm.
Nan started making pots in England, where she studied in private studios and at the Harrow School of Art. Since 1973, she has been a studio potter in Virginia. She makes functional stoneware pottery that she sells in a variety of settings including juried exhibits, solo shows and galleries. She also teaches pottery at City Clay in Charlottesville and at multiple outside venues. She and her son made two teaching DVD's that were published by Ceramic Arts Daily. Last month, a new online teaching company called TeachinArt.com filmed Nan for a six-week throwing course that will be published soon.
A few questions to Nan:
What made you start teaching?
I had several generous, creative teachers when I first started potting, so I feel the need to pass the favor on.
What do you get out of teaching?
Two main things: First, it's challenging and creative to help someone figure out how to take an idea and translate it into clay. Second, since I am an introvert, teaching gets me out into the world and interacting with other people. It's easy for me to just stay in the studio and work. Teaching forces me to exercise my social side.
Tell me something people would be surprised to find out about you.
I fell in love with clay at 19, and except for a brief period when our children were young, I have been potting my entire adult life. Recently, when we decided to sell our rural home and studio, I thought I would stop working in clay and try doing something else. That idea lasted less than a month, and now I am in the process of setting up a smaller and more low-key pottery business in Charlottesville.