The 8th Annual Shawnee Hills Pottery Trail will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 6-7, 2023, from 9am – 5pm in Jackson & Union Counties.

Nine exceptional potters, with more than 250 years of collective pottery making experience, will open their studios at 6 different locations and exhibit their work.

The six individual studios are a short drive from one another, allowing some or all to be visited in just a day. The studios are located in or near Murphysboro, Carbondale, Alto Pass and Makanda. The potters will be available to give studio tours; answer questions regarding pottery making and much of the work on display will be available for purchase.

This years participating potters are Karen Fiorino, Gene & Beth Smout, Dan Johnson, Darby Ortolano, Steve Grimmer, Kari Woolsey, Rob Lorenz, Stephanie Dukat and Harris Deller.

The work is handmade and ranges from functional to decorative and sculptural; work with natural textures and colors, simple patterns, to work that is precise and highly refined.

The pottery trail is a family event established to call attention to the exceptional and diverse handmade pottery being produced in the area; to help inform and educate the public to the value and beauty of handmade crafts and to bring attention to the beautiful attractions of
Southern Illinois. You can leisurely visit all 6 locations in a day while driving through the beautiful foothills, small towns, and the Shawnee National Forest. Or spend the night and visit a winery or brewery or restaurant along the trail. The first Pottery Trail was held in 2015 and is always held on the first weekend before Mothers’ Day

For further information and to find out about our Trail Passport, individual artists, and other details or to just grab a map; visit our website at https://potterstrail.wixsite.com/pottery-trail

For additional questions contact harrisdeller@gmail.com