There are many pottery artists to choose from in the world-class arts destination of St. Pete, and Charlie Parker Pottery stands out from the crowd. With a long career in creating beautiful ceramics, Parker is also an expert teacher who offers personalized classes for all levels of experience.
Parker began his career in pottery as far back as 1967. At age 14, he joined the Minnesota Clay Company as a part-time clay mixer. He later studied with Warren Westerberg at Westerberg Pottery in Minneapolis, where he focused on form and expression. While working with Westerberg, Parker refined his techniques in glaze application and firing.
In 1996, Parker teamed up with Russ Gustafson-Hilton and Stan Cowen, two of the best pottery artists in Florida, to establish St. Petersburg Clay Company. “We were the first private group to set up a gas kiln in the area, and the city had no idea how to issue a permit for it,” Parker recalls. St. Pete Clay eventually moved to the historic Seaboard Coastline train station at the corner of 22nd Street S and Fourth Avenue. Now known as the Morean Center for Clay, it has 32,000 square feet of space and is one of the largest pottery studios in the Southeast. In November 2010 Parker fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning his own studio.
A Unique Talent
“Coming from Minnesota where there were different forms of firing and more functional work, I bring a unique perspective to creating pottery,” Parker says. “I utilize different forms of soda and gas kiln firing that not many artists use, and I make all my own glazes.” Parker is known for his beautiful large bowls created in brilliant colors. If a customer is concerned about having room to store a large piece, he suggests that it be displayed on a wall as a work of art, then taken down when to be used. Space is also rented out to other pottery artists, and all are welcome to add their names to the waiting list. A gallery at the studio showcases Parker’s one-of-a-kind ceramics as well as the work of the resident artists, including bowls, vases, jewelry and sculptures. You can even shop virtually from the website, CharlieParkerPottery.com, and there is currently free delivery for any purchase within St. Pete.
Parker has received numerous awards from Florida CraftArt, and in 2018 he won the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance MUSE Award as Artist of the Year.
A Fun Way to Celebrate
Parker has hosted bachelorette, birthday and anniversary parties in which participants can make small ice cream bowls and bring their own drinks and snacks. Hours for those events are 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday at $50 per person. Parker and his staff finish the work in the kilns, and participants return to pick them up and enjoy some ice cream.
He is excited to announce the return to participation in the Second Saturday ArtWalk in St. Pete. From October through December 2021 during the ArtWalk evenings from 5-9 pm, the gallery will offer 20 percent discounts off of Parker’s work and “Buy 2, Get One Free” pricing for small demonstration bowls. \Parker hopes that everyone will SHOP EARLY, SHOP SMALL and SHOP LOCAL this holiday season. “We have a great place to take a class and purchase a gift for all of your loved ones,” he says.
Charlie Parker Pottery is at 2724 Sixth Ave. S in St. Petersburg. To make an appointment for a class, call Nancy Parker at (727) 321-2071 or write to [email protected].
