Artists

Whirling Earth pottery is owned and operated by John & Dee Stuart.

Open since September of 2007, the Wamego studio is actually the 3rd location for Whirling Earth The first location was in Phoenix, Arizona at the Stuart home. After studying a year under Bill & Lena Derek at their studio near Tempe, John built a hobby-size gas kiln in the back yard and set out on his own in 1976.

The second location was in Pittsburg, Kansas. John & Dee built and operated another (larger) kiln in the back yard of their home there. They sold to flower and gift shops and attended many shows and craft fairs in the area from 1978-1983. Then they started a family. Financial demands of children and careers caused an end to production at Pittsburg when the Stuarts moved to Manhattan, Kansas where they operated a tool and equipment rental business for 17 years.

Fast forward to 2006, children grown, successful business sold, the Stuarts purchased the current site in nearby Wamego, remodeled and set up the studio for a year, then opened the sales gallery and returned to the pleasures and challenges of pottery making. So it has been a “long and winding road” to get to where they are today. As time passes and their life perspective changes, from newlyweds to empty-nesters, they continue to grow and improve their skills as potters. That’s the good thing about working with clay. You can never know it all. It is always fresh.