The Potter’s Wheel

Written By Heidi Coryell Williams
Photograph By Todd Rogers

There are a handful of kitchen items you just can’t have too many of when you live south of the Mason Dixon line. Among those is the ubiquitous platter, which might just as easily find a spot at a church potluck as it would a dining room wall.

It comes as little surprise, then, that of all the pieces Pendleton-based potter Rob Gentry crafts by hand, his platters, which are of the hanging variety—each one a work of art in its own right—seem to have found the largest cult following. Two South Carolina governors have used his platters as state gifts. One of them was even given to South Carolina’s sister state in Australia, the year the Olympics were hosted there.

This year, Gentry—a 28-year veteran of professional pottery—is handcrafting no fewer than 400 of his platters for major donors and sponsors with Bi-Lo Charity Classic. The golf tournament marks its 27th year of raising money for nonprofts that support children, education, and hunger relief, and last year, the Charity Classic donated $1.2 million to Greenville County agencies.

Gentry’s gift platters, about 16 inches long, have been hand-crafted with a Blue Ridge Getaway theme in mind, and he’s spent months layering clay, carving patterns, and then firing each platter in a kiln to create the pieces, each one depicting an abstract rendering of the mountains and sky. Every couple who attends the Charity Classic’s President’s Party on June 5 will walk away with one of the pieces (which are being kept under wraps until the night of the celebration) as a “thank you” gift.

It’s the most extensive project—a year’s worth of work in less than three months—that Gentry has ever taken on, and he’s working with two other potters to get the job done in time. Simultaneously, he’s recently completed an order of 800 tiles for a national convention for state Speakers of the House—each one depicting the palmetto tree and crescent.

But you don’t have to be a big donor or a weighty politician to acquire a sample of Gentry’s handiwork. His Pendleton-based studio is open daily and features everything from teacups to bathroom sinks, and a lot of beautiful mural work, clay fountains, and kitchen pottery to boot.

“The reason I’m so passionate about clay work is because clay is completely amenable to the imagination,” Gentry says. “I’m honored (the Charity Classic) decided to go with handmade gifts this year.

“It’s a wonderful thing for the artisans around here.” And for potluck suppers everywhere.

See more of Rob Gentry's work by visiting his Web site at www.robgentrypottery.com.

Get the scoop on all the Upstate's artistic happenings by visiting www.gvillemag.com/arts