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Townsend's Pottery Guild Holds Open House
Author: MT 43 News Staff Reporter

MT 43 News Staff Reporter

Teddy Lewis’s Pottery Guild shop on North Spruce Street bustled with activity Saturday morning as he and STOKE members geared up to serve grilled hamburgers to participants interested in choosing a ceramic bowl for their own.

Teddy, who is a professional ceramics artist and teacher, has worked to interest children and adults in learning to throw and finish clay pots. The program is part of Science, Technology, Outdoors, Knowledge and Entrepreneurship (STOKE). STOKE was formed several years ago as a youth skills afterschool program that operates at the Lodge in town.

An array of unglazed bowls stood waiting to be chosen for glazing. Teddy said he had worked with the Archie Bray Ceramics Foundation and the Helena Clay Arts Guild to learn to interest people in throwing pots. He is hoping to interest adults and their kids in this exciting activity. He said it allows people to use their creativity and have fun at the same time.

Teddy is a retired licensed addiction counselor who has a major in art from the University of Montana. He has worked in Missoula, Ontario, Oregon, Helena and Billings as an art instructor.

The Pottery Guild shop is offering studio spaces for those who might want to pursue their own ceramics work. For Pottery Guild members Teddy also offers classes and free time using the equipment. For more information, contact Teddy at (406) 439-9345.

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PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks MT 43 News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: STOKE helper Ava Boaz and Master potter Teddy Lewis watch as second-grader Zola Six picks chooses which pot she would like to glaze. Her grandmother Colette Kuka of Great Falls helped Zola decide. Nancy Marks MT 43 News Photographer
Image 2 Caption: STOKE board members Jim Domino, Carla Amundson and Dan Tuxbury serve hamburgers at the Burgers and Bowls Pottery Guild fundraiser. Nancy Marks MT 43 News Photographer