If her name sounds familiar, it’s no coincidence; she is co-owner Mark Gatterdam’s very talented mother.  I had the pleasure of going to her home during last year’s Great Falls Studio Art Tour, and watched her finish up some of the pottery she had just taken out of the kiln.

Look at the beautiful glazes and details in the handles on this magnificent bowl. You can find the Altered Rim Oval Bowl in our Fairfax showroom.

Barbara’s work is absolutely beautiful and functional, just like our furniture.  It’s no wonder Mark grew up to appreciate art in all its form.  Their home in Great Falls is filled with Hardwood Artisans furniture and Barbara Gatterdam’s pottery. Barbara is also a collector of other potters’ works, and you can see the collection on every shelf in her home.

Talk about functional! Barbara makes these beautiful brie makers that come with a handmade wooden knife from Thailand. If you’re looking for a brie recipe, look no further, she provides the recipe as well. Snatch one of these up from our Fairfax showroom.

Barbara studied at several different schools to learn about the arts, including the Corcoran School of Art and has taken workshops with well known national and international potters.  She has been a potter for 35 years.  Her pots are made from stoneware clay and fired in her kiln to 2300 degrees, taking about 12 to 14 hours to complete.

A new vase shape that Barbara has been experimenting with. I think she did a terrific job, what do you think?

Her favorite pottery forms to make are pitchers and vases.  “There is a great feeling of accomplishment to create a tall graceful form” she says.  Barbara participates in many local pottery shows, and seasonally in Lost River, West Virginia.  You can see Barbara’s work in our Fairfax and Rockville showrooms.

Some of her favorite shapes and forms. The Pitcher and Vase by Barbara Gatterdam