Click here for the Clay Centre website October 29, 2002-- Barbara Higgins didn't set out to be a potter all those years ago when she took her first pottery class. She was at UNC studying political science, which eventually led to a masters degree from the Monteray Institute of International Studies in California, and jobs editing and publishing in that field. During her undergraduate years she attempted several times to take a pottery class, but they always filled quickly and she found herself out of luck. Undaunted, she ended up studying at Penland, a well-known school of crafts in the mountains of North Carolina. These studies made a big impact on her. Studying under Jim Pringle and Carol Ann Zinn helped her hone her art. In May of 2002, Higgins opened the Clay Centre at 402 Lloyd Street in Carrboro. After years of working out of her home studio, a dream was finally realized. The road that brought her here was long and winding. Barbara's husband Jim, who has always been supportive of all her endeavors, took teaching jobs in Oregon and South Carolina that kept them moving around before finally settling back down in North Carolina. Once their children were born, Barbara made the decision to stay home and raise her family. Their daughter Laura is 21 now, attending UNC and also pursuing dance. Their son James is 24, working as a photographer in Utah, with rock climbing as a favorite pastime. Eventually the Higgins family moved to Orange County, where they fashioned a 22 cubic ft.spring arch kiln from bricks, designed to hold together with no mortar. She worked with a kickwheel on the carport during this time, with no heat or hot water. About once a month Barbara would load close to 100 pieces into the kiln, brick up the door, and spend the next couple of days firing her work. She built a smaller raku kiln, using this technique for making decorative pottery. With this technique you use a lower temperature for firing, removing the pieces while they are red hot with special tongs. The pots are then placed in combustable material which ignites, allowing the smoke to go into the piece. A similar technique is sawdust firing, which uses sawdust or newspaper. Leaves or other objects are placed next to the piece, with the combustible material under that. The piece is set on fire, and the design from the leaves and smoke is left on the piece. The pot pictured here was made using the sawdust technique. Barbara joined the Carolina Designer Craftsmen, where she became a board member and active participant for the next 15 years, all the while learning more and more about pots, glazing, and firing techniques. She has taught classes for the past 8 years at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro and at Lincoln Center in Chapel Hill. But Higgins saw more in her future, and began working with architect Jack Haggerty and builder Dale Giera of Hampton Built Homes in Carrboro. Barbara explained to Haggerty all of the elements she wanted included in her new building, and he set about designing the space. She longed for an ideal setting for herself and her advanced students, who had formed a group called the Red Clay Co-op. Barbara wanted a space where she could teach classes, as well as studio space for pursuing her own creativity, a gallery for events such as the Orange County Open Studio Tour, and a space for the Red Clay Co-op. She saw the need for plenty of space for kilns and pottery wheels. She also wanted additional space for other artists to use as studios, turning the building into a true creative cooperative. The result is the Clay Center. Here the Red Clay Co-op folks, whose number is currently at 13, have their own space where they can throw, create, and glaze their pots, always learning new techniques and experimenting with new styles. Three wheels are available for use, each a different size to suit a different need. Co-op member Betsy Vaden is seen here pointing out the wheels as she prepares to go to work. The Clay Centre also offers plenty of storage space, and each group has their own electric kiln, with 3 housed in a room separate from the studio space. Barbara's spacious teaching area offers 6 wheels so plenty of folks can get in on the action. Holly Taylor-Novak, Carmen Elliot, Carolyn Doyle, Robin Shealy, Susan Wells, Elizabeth Eckels, and Jo Gravely also teach classes at the Centre, with new classes being offered all of the time. Classes aren't limited to just pottery. Fashion illustration and photography are just two of the other classes also offered. Barbara is currently preparing for a busy holiday season, creating favorites such as angel candlesticks and holly decorated candleholders. "There is a certain amount of chemistry involved with being a potter," says Higgins. "You learn over the years what works and what doesn't as far as glazes are concerned. You also learn what sells best. Being able to experiment and try new styles is a great thing. We're always coming up with new ideas." While creating decorative pottery is something Barbara truly enjoys, she prefers creating functional pottery that can be used in kitchens or at the table. Whatever Higgins creates, it's obvious she has found her niche in life. The Clay Centre is open from 10 am till 5 pm. You can contact the Clay Center by calling 919-967-0314, or e-mailing bjjhiggins@msn.com. Home | Overview | About Us | Ads | Art | Businesses | Carrboro and Area Stuff | Carrboro Map | Computer Stuff | Downtown Carrboro Map | Events | Prices | Restaurants | UniqueOrn Enterprises