Robin Rodgers Works

Ceramic artist/potter ROBIN RODGERS was raised in Chattahoochee, Florida, near the banks of the Apalachicola River. As a boy, he was intrigued by old bottles, arrowheads, and Indian pottery that he found near his home. His interests in art, archaeology, and nature inspired him to complete his Bachelors Degree in Art from the University of Montevallo in 1984 and MFA in Ceramics from Florida State University in 1989. In 1995, Robin established his Rabbit Pond studio. He continues to enjoy researching ancient techniques and processes of pottery making, translating these findings into his current contemporary creations. His personal touch is revealed through an array of surface textures on wheel-thrown forms, including etchings, geometric carvings, and sculpted appendages, most often depicting animals, birds, and natural forms. Robin uses many firing processes, most notably the 16th century Japanese technique of Raku firing. In this process, pieces are removed individually from the hot kiln with tongs and smoked to darken the random crackled patterns. As it cools, each piece develops its own unique pattern of glaze that contributes the overall impact. Currently he is experimenting with Native American Horsehair firing and low fire saggars. Robin’s work is represented in private, corporate, and museum collections in the U.S. and abroad, including the Mobile Museum of Art, Huntsville Museum of Art, State of Florida, The Nature Conservancy, Historic Bok Sanctuary, Archaeological Institute of West Florida, Apalachee Indian tribe, and in art galleries across the US. In May 2012, a piece of Robin’s work was presented to King Juan Carlos of Spain during a visit by the Governor and Secretary of State of Florida. In addition, Robin creates replicas of 17th century Spanish & Native American pottery for San Luis Archaeological site in Tallahassee, Florida and has an installation of over 200 tiles depicting the flora and fauna of Florida at the historic Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida. His work is featured in the March/April 2006 issue of Florida Wildlife magazine, and in Lark Book’s, 500 Animals in Clay. He teaches classes, workshops, and hosts a Pottery Camp for kids each summer.