Ellie Dutcher
Ellie started her ceramics journey in a small local studio in Oregon and in the years since, has worked as a production potter in Washington and completed a Ceramics Post-Baccalaureate at the University of Montana. While at UM she was a teaching assistant and it was there that she dove into the world of glazes and native clays. Ellie loves the atmosphere of a ceramics studio, a space that can hold community, clay, creation and friendship. She has now found herself in Vermont teaching pottery and farming in the summers. She is thrilled to be in the Upper Valley and part of CraftStudies.
Interview with a Teaching Artist: Ellie Dutcher
When did you start with clay? Who taught you? I started my pottery journey when I was 23. I had just graduated from college and was working my first job at an elementary school as a garden educator. After school, I joined a ceramics class for parents and teachers; it was there that I discovered my love for pottery. I am so grateful to my first teacher, Matt DeLong, who brought enthusiasm and laughter into the studio. From then on I was hooked!
What’s your favorite project? One of my favorite projects I’ve done was when I collected and processed a variety of native wild clays from Montana. I collected samples from different clay deposits in the state, then did some mild processing to be able to use the clays as a throwing body. I enjoyed the process of collection because I felt closer to the material I was using and thus felt so much gratitude for this medium!
Where do you most like to work? I love, in warmer weather, taking my wheel outside and being in the sun. If I could work outside year round I would! But during the colder months I love being in a lively studio filled with creative kind people!
Any artists, books, places, etc. that you recommend folks to check out? I am obsessed with the podcast, For Flux Sake. It is as hilarious as it is educational. Any pottery nerd will find great tips and amazing facts in this podcast. I highly recommend it!
What other crafts pique your interest? Lately, I’ve been exploring the world of willow basket-weaving. I was drawn to it for the same reasons I love working with clay—there’s something really special about feeling connected to the earth and the land through the materials. I especially enjoy being part of the harvesting process and creating something meaningful that carries a sense of place and origin.
What are you currently reading and/or listening to? I am one of those folks who have at least three different books going at the same time! It just depends on my mood, if I’m feeling intrigued and ready to learn, I've been flipping through my Natural Glazes book by Miranda Forrest. If I'm feeling tired and just want to escape I will dive into the ACOTAR series!
And what I’m listening to, well that also depends on the mood! Most of the time Taylor Swift can cover any mood I’m in but Ive also really been enjoying some sweet folk music as the sun comes back out!
What’s in the trunk of your car? In my trunk I have a weird mix of tools for foraging and collecting clay, like buckets and a trowel! I also have an emergency towel in case I want to swim! Along with all sorts of classic car items (like jumper cables). My trunk is always in flux with the season, sometimes there's skis, sometimes there's garden tools!
If there were more hours in the day, I’d… …make myself the most elaborate meals! Including homemade bread, sour cream, krauts, sauces, broths, everything from scratch! I love cooking!