Our Story

Our Philosophy
Scott Draves founded Door Pottery in 2001 based on the ideals of the Arts & Crafts Movement. This included high quality craftsmanship and uncompromised creativity in small studio settings. He continues his dedication to creating quality handmade pieces today. With a focus on the creative process and quality rather than quantity, Door Pottery continues to be centered around creative expression. Imagination, experimentation and exploration all factor into maintaining an atmosphere essential for artistic growth.

Inspiration is drawn from the great American Art Potteries of the Arts and Crafts era. From the organic leaves of Grueby to the elegant shapes of Rookwood, or the surprisingly modern look of Teco Pottery, Door Pottery pays homage to the Arts and Crafts artisans that came before. Always seeking the balance between form and motif, each vase is enhanced with simple patterns to best compliment each piece. With these fresh designs and unexpected twists, Door Pottery strives to carry on the Arts and Crafts traditions, creating unique pottery to be treasured for generations.

History also plays a key role. The designs of Door Pottery happily wander from the Arts & Crafts Movement through the Art Deco and Art Nouveau Movements, and it’s hard not to be entranced by the style of the Prairie School simplicity with the abundance of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs seen throughout southern Wisconsin.

An important aspect of any artistic movement is that it is dynamic. Where it starts out is not where it ends. This is true for Door Pottery as well. Over the years, we’ve employed several artists to encourage ceramic careers as well as to expand the creative aesthetic of Door Pottery’s line. Their maker’s mark and signature can be found on the bottoms of older pieces and reflect their personal designs and input in the ceramic process. While these artists have moved on to other creative endeavors, they are an important part of Door’s history.

Through the last several moves, the studio’s structure has simplified and Scott Draves is again the sole producer of Door Pottery. From the first creative spark to the finished product, Scott stays connected to the process through designing, throwing and glazing each individual piece.

As a result, each piece of pottery is an original work of art, an expression of the style and craft that inspires it. No two pieces are exactly alike and the number of pieces produced is very low. Door Pottery has always created unique, collectible pottery meant to be treasured for generations. Customers comment over and over again how much they cherish their pieces of Door Pottery, and we are proud to make the art they live with. Each piece is carefully crafted, made by hand and meant to be enjoyed.

Timeless Art... …From our hands to your home