Potters Market at the Mint
September 27, 2025
Julie Wiggins Pottery, Charlotte NC
Porcelain clay body, fired to cone 9 (2300 degrees) in an electric kiln. I work on and off the wheel with a variety of wheel thrown and hand building techniques. Each pot is mindfully decorated using mishima inlay for drawing, carving techniques and my own transparent glazes I developed.
As a studio potter, I make objects of enjoyment that strike a balance between uniquely functional forms and narrative design. Whether hand built using slabs, molds or thrown on a wheel, my porcelain cups, vases, lidded jars, plates, teapots, serving pieces, and more are both playful and aesthetically complete. Nature imagery including flowers, birds, and repeating patterns accent most work along with historical references. Using transparent glazes, these surface designs stand out clearly yet gently with my hand drawn inlaid, gestural lines of black and blue slip. Some work also highlights carving patterns, lightly pooled glazes, or thoughtfully designed flares such as asymmetrical edges, decorative coils or clay‚ buttons, and distinctive rectangular feet.
My work is inspired by landscapes growing up on the coast of Eastern NC, studies in China, Europe, Mexico, Morocco, and Central America, as well as studies of traditional studio pottery techniques. Together, these influences help me create a body of work that reflects memories, movement, and love of life. I am also enamored with architecture, repeated patterns in nature, and the simple power of an intuitively drawn, fluid line. I'm inspired by how pots have been used in the home throughout different culture and time. With so many sources of inspiration, I find that my creativity expands in layers, always inviting me to dig deeper and push utility in new directions.