Mark
Wingertsahn
is an award-winning
potter who owns
and operates
Mornings’ Work
Pottery Company,
a small pottery
studio located
in the mountains
of North Georgia
. In 1992, inspired
by the rich
pottery heritage
of the South,
Mark decided
to focus his
creativity exclusively
on pottery making.
Transforming
his vision into
art was a daunting
task. He started
from scratch
having had no
formal training
in ceramics.
He obtained
quite a bit
of knowledge
about the craft
by simply reading.
But, he learned
the real skills
of pottery making
by spending
time with seasoned
potters that
were willing
to share their
experiences
with him...and
most, he found,
were very open
and helpful!
Eventually,
Mark developed
a style and
technique that
resulted in,
what has become
his trademark
works, whimsical
stoneware birdhouses.
All hand built
and unique!
The
houses are functional,
made to withstand
the elements
if hung out-of-doors.
But often, the
unique houses
end up indoors,
placed on the
mantle or in
a special nook.
As his work
has evolved,
Mark’s
wheel-turned
pottery and
other unique
sculptural pieces
are also becoming
very popular,
expanding his
growing portfolio.
As a result,
pottery enthusiast
as well as birdhouse
and Folk Art
collectors are
acknowledging
his work.
The
Blairsville Sculpture
Garden is a cooporative
of the Blairsville
Union Chamber of
Commerce, The Downtown
Development Authority
of Blairsville,
the City of Blairsville,
and various private
businesses. The
Sculpture Garden
is also sponsored
in part by the Grassroots
Arts Program of
the Georgia Council
for the Arts through
the appropriations
of the Georgia General
Assembly and in
partnership with
Sustainable Arts
Society, Inc. The
Grassroots Arts
Program provides
funds to support
art activities
and encourage local
collaborations
between artists
and arts organizations.
Mark
Wingertsahn
is an award-winning
potter who owns
and operates
Mornings’ Work
Pottery Company,
a small pottery
studio located
in the mountains
of North Georgia
. In 1992, inspired
by the rich
pottery heritage
of the South,
Mark decided
to focus his
creativity exclusively
on pottery making.