Ann Leonard
Ceramics

The Potter's Shed
3704 Kenilworth Driveway
N. Chevy Chase, MD 20815
phone: 301-656-5639

My studio, The Potter's Shed, faces south, overlooking vegetable garden, beehives and tall pines. A great part of my work is functional ware: teapots, bowls, plates, cups, serving pieces, soy jugs, saki sets. Hand-built pieces include large coil vases balanced on one “hip”, garden sculptures based on ancient Japanese Haniwa figures, bird houses and slab-formed square plates. all are high fired in an outdoor reduction kiln.

I am drawn to pottery of earth-centered traditions: native American pottery, the mingei tradition of Japan and the quietly beautiful functional work of the Minnesota school of potters. From these inspirations I fashion pots meant to be used, to be held, to be enjoyed. Though glaze and decoration are important my greatest satisfaction is in the form of the pot.