Taylormade Pottery Showcases Work of
Internationally Known Potters

KETCHUM, Idaho - Taylormade Pottery is the studio and gallery for internationally known potters Elmer and Dianne Taylor, as well as six other American potters.

The Taylors have been associated with Sun Valley since 1986, when Elmer came here to conduct a three-week ceramics workshop for the Sun Valley Center for the Arts and Humanities. They fell in love with the community, and purchased a small house in the downtown area. The "living room" is now their gallery, and a building in the rear has become a workshop, although Elmer frequently throws pots under a canopy in front of the building.

Until 2002, they were able to spend only summers in Idaho. Then Dianne moved here full-time and opened Tayormade Pottery, while Elmer arrives every summer to make pots. 

Their work has been featured in more than three hundred exhibitions in locations ranging from Sun Valley to Geneva. They have been the subject of feature articles and/or contributors to such publications as Ceramics Monthly and Fiberarts.

Both pride themselves on creating work that is both functional and affordable, with most pieces priced under $50. While they have distinctive styles, both use colorful palettes, a contrast with pottery's traditional earth tones.

They appreciate the growing interest in handmade pottery in today's world.  They feel that in this age of high technology people need a human touch.  In using pots made by hand, there is a connection with the makers and with a tradition that goes back to a time when handmade objects were the norm.

Elmer Taylor: Elmer's professional credentials include his current position as Regents Professor of Art at the University of North Texas in Denton, the second largest school of visual arts in the country. It boasts one of the premier ceramics programs in the country, granting undergraduate and graduate degrees to students from all over the United States. Elmer earlier held an apprenticeship in North Devon, England with Michael Leach.  His father, Bernard, has been described as the seminal potters of the 20th century.  "Good pots don't have to be brown," Elmer once told Ceramics Monthly. "Bernard Leach never stated that red iron oxide is more aesthetically correct than cobalt carbonate. It all has to do with how it is used. My pots are a reflection of who I am, and all that makes me unique."

Dianne Taylor: Dianne, holds a PhD in advanced art teaching, as well as an MFA in weaving and a BA. in crafts.  As an art history lecturer at the University of North Texas for over two decades, she taught the history of crafts as well as introductions to Asian, Mesoamerican, and Western art.  She made pottery throughout her years of teaching.  "I like to make each piece different - making something that doesn't look like anything I've seen before. This would be possible in any art medium, but for me, a lot of the joy in producing comes from working with clay and making functional objects.  It's challenging to make something that not only looks good but works well," she adds.

In addition to traditional objects such as tableware and vases, the Taylors like the challenge of fulfilling custom requests ranging from signature vases for a florist to favors for wedding guests to "paw print" plaques and pet funereal urns. The shop also features pots by other well known artists. All pieces are functional, and can go in the dishwasher and microwave, the Taylors stress. They also carry Paolo Soleri's distinctive bronze bells, created to fund the Frank Lloyd Wright disciple's experimental community of Arcosanti in the Arizona desert. 

Hours at the gallery at 760 Washington Avenue vary with the season.   It is usually open Thursdays through Sundays, (Wednesdays through Sundays in the summer), “But if that's not convenient, we urge people to call us, and we'll see them another time. We live here, so it's easy for us to open the shop ," says Dianne.

Additional information is available by calling toll free (888) 494-1064, or you can contact us by e-mail at taylormadepottery@yahoo.com.