Jeff Kirk, the director, founded the Glen Echo Pottery in 1975 as one of the inaugural artistic programs located in the Park when the National Park Service re-kindled the Chautauqua spirit, returning the Park to its original purpose:
especially among the masses of the people ...
The studio is housed in three of the Mongolian yurts that were originally constructed for the Folk Life Festival on the National Mall and then moved to Glen Echo park. The yurts are unique in Washington DC, and provide a friendly, comfortable environment for learning. The smallest yurt is dedicated solely to glazing, so that students can interact closely with each other while exploring specific glaze techniques. The first of two large yurts serves our wheel classes, with facilities for over 20 electric and kick wheels. The recently added third yurt serves as as a gallery for the display and sale of exemplary work from the studio as well as a setting to educate potters about the practice of demonstrating pottery methods to the public and strategies for presenting and selling work.
Glen Echo Pottery specializes in high temperature reduction firing, with kiln openings about twice a month, usually on Sunday mornings. These kiln openings combine critique and discussion in an environment of warmth, friendliness and humor, and participants commonly bring food to share. We also feature Raku, soda, and sawdust firings during special sessions.