Meet Our Members: Davey White

Davey at the handbuilding tables at Ford City Potters.

When did you first fall in love with pottery?

I introduced myself to pottery during the fall of 2024, when I enrolled in a four week hand-building course at Ford City Potters after walking by FCP’s street sign one day. Something clicked for me while working with clay slabs. I realized that so many things could be made from this fascinating material, and I think this is when I began to see the depth of pottery as a practice. That’s when I fell in love with it! 

How has working with clay made a difference in your life?

Working with clay has been no less than transformative for me. Clay rewards mindfulness: I need to be present in the moment to work with clay successfully. It has provided me with outlets for creative expression and analytical thinking, and has given me a medium to make objects that I need or want. It’s amazing! I’m taking clay—earth from the ground—and turning it into objects!

Each piece I make offers me the opportunity to learn something, to develop my skills through practice, and to create something beautiful and functional. 

Do you have a favorite piece you’ve made so far and what is the story behind it?

Functionally, my coffee dripper is my favourite piece as it allows me to brew coffee using my favourite method: pour over! It replaced my broken dripper and I haven’t looked back. 

Stackable cups too, all handbuilt.

Aesthetically, I love my Tom of Finland inspired plates. They were inspired by my close friend, and I love the empowering and subversive quality of some of Touko Laaksonen’s work. 

Tom of Finland inspired catchall.

Favorite tool?

My favourite tool right now is a XIEM Tools MR8 carving tool. I’m a big fan of the slab roller too!

Favorite clay?

Though I’m still with my first love, speckled clay, that red clay has caught my eye. 

Best local spot?

Chance Coffee! A black coffee, fresh croissant, and quick chat with the team from Chance: it’s a ritual I perform after nearly every pottery practice. 

What do you like to listen to when you work?

Most of the time, I enjoy listening to classical/finger-style guitar covers and lo-fi or downtempo versions of video game music! I can also be found listening to the Wheel of Time audiobooks, or quietly singing along with the latest version of the playlist of my life. 

What is your next pottery goal, or skill you’re most keen to learn?

Aesthetically, I am currently exploring underglaze painting, slip painting, and sgraffito carving in much of my work. In a technical sense, I have been making objects with galleries (such as an enclosed box with a tight fitting lid) and objects that stack. 

While I am looking forward to developing my abilities on the pottery wheel, I am most keen to continue to develop my theoretical understanding of glazes and the practical aspects of glaze making. This aspect of ceramics is an art and science on its own, and has proven to be an excellent application of my skills and proficiencies as a chemical technologist. 

What is the best part of being a member of a pottery studio?

The best thing about being a member of a pottery studio is being a part a community of other people—creators and makers—who feel the joy of discovering and expressing themselves through their practice. It feels wonderful to see them light up as they talk about their work, and I have learned so much from listening to them explain their technical process or asking for their perspective on some challenge I’m facing. I find it humbling, inspiring, and I’m grateful!