Good Dirt

by Samantha Turner | photos by Destiny Graber

Remember when you were a kid and getting messy was fun? Well, just because you're in college doesn't mean you can't still get a little messy! Good Dirt, a local ceramic arts work center, lets you do just that by offering good, not-so clean fun! It's been in operation for the past seven years and is currently owned by Rob Sutherland, who took over from the original owner, Kate Tremel.

Sutherland sat back in a t-shirt and shorts, munching on an apple as we talked, reflecting the overall tone of Good Dirt, which is relaxed and very down-to-earth. It's housed in an open, airy, garage-like building, and there is an array of pottery pieces lining the shelves on the wall, a testament to the diverse creativity of its patrons. There's nothing frilly or fancy about it, but it's welcoming in its simplicity.

Sutherland describes the appeal of Good Dirt to its customers as "a really supportive atmosphere, where everyone is really enthusiastic, and no one is getting grades."

If you're looking to get involved in ceramics, classes are taught in a workshop setting for eight week sessions at a fee of $40. However, if you're just looking to try something new than you can try a clay class offered every Friday for a smaller fee of $20. All ages are welcome and class levels range from introductory to advanced. Sutherland says the daytime classes have a smaller enrollment while introductory, evening, and advanced classes are the most full.

Most classes emphasize working with clay, but there are a variety of others available to suit anyone's taste. These classes include basketry, glass work, book-binding, soap-making, and tile-making.

The classes are taught by six instructors, each with their own area of expertise. Many of them have their MFA (Master of Fine Arts) degree. Although instructors usually return each year, Sutherland tries to seek out new teachers, which ensures a variety of topics and classes for his customers. He has a good idea of what he's looking for in an instructor because he not only owns Good Dirt, he teaches as well.

"I've worked with clay for three or four years, but I teach extrusion, which is when you put clay in a barrel and a plunger forces the clay through an opening, and then the clay can be squeezed out in different shapes," he says. "I also teach basket-weaving, kid's classes and intro classes."

In addition to regular workshop classes, Good Dirt offers its patrons unique learning experiences by bringing in local potters and offering visiting artists' workshops at least one or two times a year. Visiting artists from previous years include David Morgan from Danielsville, Ga. and Geoff Pickett from Farmington, Ga., who both taught advanced classes. Morgan focused his class on salt firing and will be teaching again in the winter. Pickett taught wheel technique classes. Another visitor was Randy Johnston from River Falls, Wis., who did a two-day workshop on extrusion, wheel work, and hand building with paper patterns. Hand building involves cutting slabs of clay to paper patterns and joining them together.

Although not often involved with The University of Georgia, Good Dirt has been known to collaborate with art school lectures on campus. Students are welcome to come in for workshops as well. Some students have done a work-study program with Good Dirt where they help clean up in exchange for studio time. For students interested, it's $20 for a student membership, which lasts through the academic year and saves students $20 every class. This makes it easier and more affordable to join. If you are enrolled for a fall term and decide to enroll for the winter term then you can continue to go to Good Dirt through the holidays and avoid additional fees, which is one of the biggest benefits of the program.

Several groups on campus, like sororities, fraternities and R.A. groups have taken advantage of the fun activities that Good Dirt offers.

"We've had a couple of sororities come in and decorate face plates for their sorority houses," Sutherland says. "R.A. groups came in for the Freshman College Summer Experience programs."

Lisa Mayo, 21, an R.A. at the university, took her residents to Good Dirt last fall. They were given a short demonstration and then they were given clay to make whatever they wanted. Their pieces were then painted, glazed and fired. "It was great to see the residents' creativity, and it was something different because they got to play and just have fun," she says. "It also got more people to come participate who normally don't come to the regular programs that we have."

Group workshops are also offered, so you can put a new spin on a birthday party or a moms' night out. The cost is $10 for two hours.

Kids are encouraged to come and join the fun too with numerous children's programs being offered. Parents can participate with their children, or the kids can be dropped of all day at the workshop. Sutherland said the summer camp workshops are very popular with the kids.

"We had some kids that were basically here all summer," he says.

Good Dirt also gets involved with the Athens community. They've been at events such as Athfest and Kidfest, offering a booth with hands-on experience for kids to work with the wheel. They also did demonstrations and hands-on experiences for kids at BreastFest. At Harvest Fest, Sutherland demonstrated willow basketry and kids made their own pinch pots.

They've visited local Athens area schools such as Cedar Shoals High School and Prince Avenue Christian School, where they recently went and students made autumn leaves from clay impressions. They also offered classes through the Botanical Gardens and give lectures to garden clubs.

Upcoming events at Good Dirt include a visiting artist workshop in November featuring Linda Christianson, an internationally renowned studio potter from Minnesota. They will also be having their 7th annual holiday pottery sale in December.

Living in Athens guarantees that you will never run out of new and fun activities to try in your spare time. Its diversity and wide array of new places to visit, and new hobbies to get involved in, add to its uniqueness and charm. Good Dirt is just one of the many places that contribute to this diversity by offering a little something for everyone. So instead of doing the same old thing, visit Good Dirt and try something new- after all, that's what college is all about!

Good Dirt is located downtown at 510B North Thomas St. More information can be found on their website at www.gooddirt.net or you can call at (706) 355-3161.