photo by John A. Secoges, Secoges Photographics
Master potter Wesley Muckey discovered his professional calling while still in high school. Although he’d had musical dreams – as a rock and roll drummer – those aspirations changed once he put his hands in clay for the first time. Since then, the Cumru Township resident has built a successful business, a loyal following and a studio on the edge of Nolde Forest. Muckey lives an artisan’s life, creating and showing his unique and authentic pottery with his wife, Amy – a creative businesswoman herself (she owns Stein’s Flowers in Shillington) – and their children Vincent, 15, and Sophia, 10.
Q: How did you become a potter – and open Nolde Forest Pottery?
I first dabbled in clay in art class when I was 15, at Conrad Weiser. I just really knew right away that this is what I wanted to do. Soon after that my art teacher asked if I wanted a job making pottery. So I was 15 and working for a guy making antique reproductions for museums and historical societies. After I finished school, my partner – master potter Greg Zieber – and I worked at another place together, making pottery for that company. The customers there actually suggested we start our own business. We went for it and had a place in Robesonia for a while before opening our current studio. This year is our 20th anniversary, so it’s worked out well for us.
Q: What kind of items do you make?
We do mostly custom work, everything you can think of in the medium – from functional items like dinnerware to decorative things like figurines or ornaments, and whimsical art creations such as our signature face jugs. Those are based on a Southern tradition that has African roots. In fact, some of our works were used in a historical exhibit that showcased the evolution of the art form. Our jugs are popular with collectors and are always conversation-starters.
Q: Speaking of collectors, your website includes famous rock stars who own Nolde Forest Pottery – how did that happen?
Years ago I started making pieces for rock stars as gifts. The first person I made one for was Ozzy [Osbourne] in 1994. I was going to the concert and had passes so I thought I’d make him a jug with a devil’s head and face – as a joke because of his reputation. Over time it’s taken off and lots of bands – like The Cult, Buckcherry, Ritchie Kotzen and Matt Sorum from Guns N’Roses – now own my work. I often get emails or calls from musicians who want a custom piece, usually to display at home or in a recording studio. Some take it on the road as stage dressing.
Q: But you also do a lot of traditional pottery too, like redware?
Yes, it’s made with a pure clay source. While stoneware is rough and difficult to work with, redware is delicate and can be used to create intricate pieces. I like to make things that are both decorative and functional – like teapots and dinnerware – with it.
Q: Speaking of the art form’s intricacies and difficulties, what kinds of pieces do you find the hardest to make?
I’ve been commissioned to make urns for people’s loved ones, and those are tough because it’s an honor and I want to make sure it’s done exactly to the family’s instructions. Also, we’ve made pieces for three presidents, which was also an honor and nerve-wracking. [laughs] We made holiday tree ornaments for Bill and Hillary Clinton and anniversary plates for the Ford and Carter libraries. Someone hired us to make a piece for Obama, but he won’t see it until he leaves the White House. A president cannot accept gifts while still in office.
Q: Wow, you have some impressive customers – from rock stars to presidents.
Yes, but our coolest customers are the loyal local people. They’re better than celebrities because they genuinely support the art and us. They’re amazing and I’m honored by them more than anyone.
