A special aspect of Glen Echo Pottery is the strong 
sense of community among new, continuing and past students. We 
  • Clean up after ourselves 
  • Share what we know
  • Take pleasure in the progress and artistic achievements of fellow students                         
  • Form groups to rent and fire our own atmospheric kiln and for wood firings at other locations in Maryland and Virginia  
  • Keep contact with former students through our participation together in the annual Glen Echo Potters Holiday Sale and studio social events. 
  • Contribute to the many volunteer activities and raise funds to permit the pottery to maintain high standards  as well as low tuition
Glen Echo Pottery faculty and students are also active in the wider ceramics community, including
  • Local ceramic associations and guilds such as Montgomery Potters, Lee Arts Center, Baltimore Clayworks, Monocacy Pottery, the Washington DC Kiln Club, and the Smithsonian.  
  •  The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) and attend its annual conferences
  • Attending workshops and maintaining on-going relations with premier art and craft schools in the country such  as Penland School of Craft, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
Volunteers  at Glen Echo Pottery
  • Mix the glazes we use for reduction and soda firing
  • Load the electric kilns to  bisque fire pieces so that they are ready for glazing
  • Help load the reduction kilns
  • Maintain the gardens adjacent to the kiln yard
  • Assist in teaching the introductory classes
  • Participate in the activities of the Kathy Darby Community Outreach Program ​such as a free five-session after school "Clay Club" at Glen Haven elementary school in Silver Spring, MD. (See images of Clay  Club activities and Academic Night at Glen Haven in the slide show below!)
  • Raise money for the pottery by participating in special seconds and pots-by-the-pound sales
  • Serve on the board of directors that assists Jeff in managing and improving the pottery.
Pictures of community and volunteer activities are shown below