Judi Harwood

Resident Potter | Instructor | Mentor

Judi Harwood (she/her) is a ceramic artist specializing in alternatively fired, wheel-thrown vessels. The alternative firing techniques that she utilizes include Raku, Obvara, and multiple types of Saggar firings. Judi’s work is burnished with terra sigillata that has been infused with varying colors of mica powder. Judi has been a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild since 2006.

Judi is one of our founding Resident Potters and thus has helped create the welcoming culture of creativity and community at our clay center. Judi teaches weekly classes in our Teaching Center, typically beginning wheel classes, however on occasion she will offer a speciality class on alternative firing techniques. Judi is also a mentor in our Advanced Studies (ISM) program.

Artist Statement

As I work with clay, I am acutely aware of being wedged, formed and going through the fire myself; continually growing in this creative process. My hope is that my work will promote not only a passion for clay, but a passion for “The Potter” who holds our destiny. As a clay artist, I am engaged in the very stuff of earth becoming art. A lump of clay. The breath of life. Divine art.

Judi Harwood active raku firing, fire in trash can

Judi Harwood throwing on the potters wheel, joining seam of sectional pot

Short Biography

Judi Harwood grew up in New Jersey, but her North Carolina blood (both parents being North Carolinians) drew her “home” in 1994. Judi and her husband, John, raised four beautiful children, and are now the proud grandparents of thirteen wonderful grandchildren. Judi’s understanding and appreciation for art, especially in clay, developed later in life while working for the Southern Highland Craft Guild. In 1999, she took her first clay class and the passion began. Meeting well established clay artists, being exposed to high quality work and taking workshops and classes along the way have all been part of her journey as a primarily self-taught artist.