Growing Greenup Pottery Studio

Growing Greenup

Pottery Studio

Anne Stephens

You may have heard that there is a community pottery studio opening in Greenup County. It is an exciting announcement, recently made by the Greenup County Extension Community Arts Program! Please read the article in this week’s paper by Gwen Adkins. Thanks, Gwen!

As the Extension Agent for Community Arts in Greenup County, I want to share from my perspective the inception of this idea and how it came to fruition. This is a unique program and a new way for people in the community to connect with the Extension Service. I anticipate that most of the pottery students will be new to Extension.

After 17 years with Extension, it continues to amaze me how many people don’t know about the Extension Service and the four programs that operate out of our county office. Anytime I talk to a community group such as Rotary or Kiwanis, I like to explain that all 120 counties in Kentucky have an Extension Office. We are part of the Land Grant outreach program that is a historic part of the University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University. Both education institutions have extension programs that tie together but are completely autonomous. Our office is exclusively UK. 

Here in Greenup County, we are fortunate to have four program areas:

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Linda Hieneman, Agent

Family and Consumer Science, Lora Pullin, Agent

4-H Youth Development, Presley Grubb, Agent

Community Arts, Anne Stephens, Agent

All of us have the same basic goal: To meet people in our community where they live, work, and play by providing continuing education and leadership development experiences that strengthen individuals, families, businesses, and the community as a whole. 

  The arts have always been an important part of my life. Music, especially singing, is a part of me that represents my individual focus as an artist. I grew up as a piano lessons kid, church music kid, band and choir kid, and a person who has always known that music and art people are my tribe. Having a job that allows me to impact the arts sector of my hometown is a privilege that I don’t take for granted. 

How did all of this cut a pathway to a community arts studio? In 2023, Tom Hudson and Sherry Hopper didn’t know each other at all when they each decided to apply to be vendors at the Greenup County Farmers Market. They each had their own home pottery studio and were looking for ways to connect with the community. They admired each other’s market booth and started talking about their pottery. This led to them setting up beside one another and striking up a friendship.

Customers at the market had questions and started to ask about classes. Tom and Sherry started documenting names and contact information of the people who were interested in learning about pottery. As the agent who works most closely with the artisans at the market, we established a relationship and started talking about possibilities.

The obvious barriers were start-up equipment and materials cost, classroom space, independent-work space, and storage space in a location that was dedicated to pottery work. The space had to support the high heat of a kiln and the messy nature of working with clay. 60+ names with contact information were collected at the Greenup County Farmers Market and Handcrafted Weekend at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park – both Extension sponsored programs. 

A discussion in a County Extension Council meeting led to a Community Economic Development Extension volunteer/District Board member who was intrigued by the pottery studio planning reached out to offer in-kind space and the two artisans went to work on the details of a start-up studio. A committee was formed, a business plan developed, and a presentation was made to the Greenup County Extension District Board asking for use of funds for the purchase of a kiln, seven wheels, and all necessary studio supplies including chemicals and clay. The District Board approved the plan and Merging Rivers Pottery was born!

Greenup County artisan and retired teacher, Sherry Hopper said, "Merging Rivers Pottery Studio will bring together individuals who share an interest in pottery, encouraging social interaction, sharing ideas, inspiration, and building life-long friendships. Pottery is expensive and this studio will allow those who would not otherwise have the opportunity to access equipment such as kilns, wheels, and a variety of glazes. As an experienced potter and art educator, I am excited to be a part of this endeavor."   Property owner said, “This is economic development and promoting the creative economy in our area with the partnerships and skills necessary to be successful. Having the resources to meet the needs of this new creative opportunity, I am excited to connect with the Extension Service to make it happen.”  

The first, 6-week class series beginning in August 2025 will reach 24 students. Students can continue indefinitely with classes or choose to utilize open studio time. Target audience is adults in the tri-state area. There are no other community pottery studios within 45 miles of Greenup County.  The desired outcome is a functional, sustainable, community pottery studio with qualified instructors in a usable location for ongoing classes and workshops.   

The public is invited to attend the Open House event of Merging Rivers Pottery Studio on Saturday, July 26 from 12noon – 2PM at The Edge Business Center, 110 Our Lady’s Way, Russell, KY. Class registration is open now at the Greenup County Extension Office, 35 Wurtland Ave, Wurtland. Registration is active upon payment which must be done in person. Registration will be available at the open house event. 

For more information, contact Anne Stephens, Agent for Community Arts and Development in Greenup County. 606.836.0201 anne.stephens@uky.edu 35 Wurtland Avenue, Wurtland, KY 41144 The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.  University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky counties, cooperating.