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Winston’s interest in 19th century stoneware production began over twenty five years ago while traveling through the Midwest, attending farm auctions and frequenting antique shops searching for old utilitarian stoneware vessels used “back then” for food storage and preservation. It was not until his college years attending formal and ceramics classes at Johnson County Community College that a future in the ceramics trade would eventually lead to starting up a small shop making personalized and custom made to order stoneware pieces.
Manufacturing methods used in the trade over one hundred years ago are incorporated into each piece made here at the W.A. Painter Pottery Works. "It is important to us to preserve the history of pottery making here. From hand turning and molding to decorating, glazing and firing, each piece although labor intensive, is truly a labor of love” Winston explains.
Everything from custom logo designed stoneware jugs, crocks, butter tubs and bowls to textured folk art inspired birdhouses, toad houses and figural frog doorstops are made here. “Blue sponge-ware has always been a popular color and we use it on a number of pieces.”
In addition to their well known personalized and custom line of stoneware products, the W.A. Painter Pottery Works is expanding on their influences of early folk pottery, offering the Garden Line to include hand textured stoneware birdhouses, toad houses and soon to arrive, hanging flower baskets. With their hand applied texture and cut limb adornments, these pieces fit right into the outdoors and into an ever increasing demand for locally hand made items for the garden.
"We are excited about the future and our online presence. We have many unique items that can be purchased directly on our site or personalized through our custom ordering process." Whether you own a business and are looking for a promotional piece, celebrating a town bicentennial or county fair in your town, or wanting a family piece personalized for a wedding or family reunion, give the W.A. Painter Pottery Works a call and they will be happy to discuss your ideas.