Hamilton Williams

I am a studio potter working in the Appalachian region of North Carolina.

Throughout my career, I have focused on making functional stoneware using a variety of reduction glazes. The majority of my work through the years has been thrown by hand on the potter’s wheel, with additional pieces made by shaping sheets of clay over static forms. I enjoy the meditative repetition of working quietly in my studio as well as the opportunity to create and modify designs that later become part of the daily experience of my patrons.

Several years ago, I relocated my studio into a quiet corner of downtown Morganton, NC, and opened a gallery featuring my work and that of other local and regional artisans. While the gallery has enjoyed success, I have found it challenging to balance the dual roles of gallerist and ceramic artist. Often the development of my work has taken a back seat to the demands of commerce. <read more>

The Gallery

Located in a quiet corner of downtown Morganton, the gallery is housed in a 120-year-old brick building adjacent to the new Morganton City Hall. Through its span of years, the building has been home to (among other things) a car dealership, an auto repair shop, a TV repair store, a decorator’s boutique, and (so I’m told) a Greek deli.

The building consists of a warehouse space that holds the ceramics studio and two storefronts that have been combined to house the craft gallery space. The gallery exhibits the works of talented local and regional artisans and includes handmade jewelry, hand-turned wood, hand-woven fiber, blown glass, hand-carved wooden utensils, and a small array of artistic cards and regional soaps. The gallery also hosts shows and exhibitions throughout the year. While Covid-19 has put such events on hold, we look forward to... <read more>

Media

Local potter Hamilton Williams enhances the Morganton art scene. A couple strolls into the attractive East Union Street gallery to peruse the hand-thrown pottery. They curiously stopped in after seeing Hamilton Williams’ signature on one of his pieces.

They settle on two handcrafted mugs and happily walk away with their purchase. According to Williams, the most sold items in his gallery are mugs and dinnerware sets.

Hamilton Williams Jr. brings a blend of fine art and traditional craftsmanship to Burke County with Hamilton Williams Gallery & Studio, showcasing functional pottery and a commitment to community.

As you step into Hamilton Williams Gallery & Studio, you’re first greeted by a stunning art deco gallery with soft music playing over the speakers.

To the left is a craftsman’s studio that houses the space for unfinished pottery and materials where the production behind the beauty takes place.

Williams, resident potter and gallerist, opened... <read more>

Glaze Chemistry

1. Introduction. Having been a professional potter for thirteen years or so, I can think of many occasions when my good humor, and perhaps even my sanity, smashed up against a glaze problem that I could not quickly solve. One instance several years ago occurred in late summer as I was rushing to fill pre-Christmas orders for shops and galleries while also getting ready for several shows. That time of year is our busiest, so it was with a little shock, and a mildly queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, that I opened a kiln-load of pottery to find my two main glazes covered with pits, pinholes, and craters. These glazes were not only unattractive and unsellable, they were completely unsafe to use. I tried re-firing a few pieces, but that only smoothed the smallest of the defects. While a few pots were salvageable, most of the firing went under the hammer. I did a little reading in my glaze texts, made a change or two, and fired another load of pottery confident that I had remedied... <read more>