Dock 6 Pottery recently relocated from a small gallery in the Longfellow neighborhood back to Northeast. Owner Kerry Brooks is happy to have found the right space for her classroom and gift store in St. Anthony at the Silver Lake Village Shopping Center (2700 39th Ave. NE). The 2,400 sq.-ft. space is divided equally into a classroom and a gift gallery. All items in store are handmade in the U.S. or are fair trade and include jewelry and pottery from local artists, glassware, upcycled purses, pillows and many other items.
Dock 6 Pottery started as a collective of four potters in 1995 on Kennedy St. NE. Brooks is the sole owner since 2006 and has expanded the business to include a production studio (on California St. NE) that now employs 45-50 people to make pottery that is sold in more than 1,000 gift shops and galleries across the nation. Brooks explained, “I never dreamed I’d be a professional potter when I threw my first pot at age 26. While studying other things in college and graduate school, I continued to nurture my new hobby. By 1995 I was making a living as a potter and have been steadily expanding Dock 6 Pottery ever since.”
If you want to get behind the wheel, Dock 6 offers classes in wheel or hand throwing. Classes are available for children and adults of all levels of experience. There are three and six-week classes as well as one-night events such as BYOB wine night or clay dates for any occasion.
A grand opening celebration will be held Saturday, Nov. 19 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Hot chocolate will be served. From 1-3 p.m. there will be pottery demonstrations, and for a small fee you can make your own holiday decoration. Pottery deals will be available on the second Saturday of each month where the imperfect pottery from the production studio will be sold at half price. See www.dock6pottery.com.
Below: Dock 6 Store Manager Mary Sullivan and Owner Kerry Brooks. (Photo by Patti Hoffmann)