About the Artist

Don Hanson, Master Potter

Don was born in Seattle, Washington in 1943, and grew up in Great Falls, Montana where he still calls home today. 

 Don's art studies began at Montana State University-Billings, where he majored in art education and graduated with a BS degree with emphasis in sculpture and ceramic design. He fell in love with the ceramics medium there and continued to pursue this interest as the years went by. 

With the demand for his work growing, he devoted his full time to creating and marketing his pottery in the late '70s.

As he developed his craft, he pursued leaders in his field to study with, such masters as Ken Ferguson in Colorado, in Idaho with Paul Soldner, in Seattle with Warren MacKenzie, in Calgary with William Hunt, in Montana with Peter Voulkos, Brian Persha and Sam and Dean Borchers. Don has participated at Pottery Northwest in Seattle with Wally Bivens, and workshops at the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, MT.

 For over 20 years Don participated in Art Fairs and Shows throughout several western states. His work is, and has been available through selected art galleries and fine stores throughout the Rocky Mountain/Pacific NW region.

Today, he specializes in burial urns for funeral homes, corporate gifts, functional stoneware, dinnerware sets, fine porcelain, and works directly with interior designers and architects as well as commission projects for individuals. Don's work is many collections in this country, Canada and many foreign countries.

He is a member of Montana Arts Council, American Craft Council, Yellowstone Art Museum, Archie Bray Foundation, and the CM Russell Museum.

About the Ceramics...

Don at the wheel

The Clay: 
Is more commonly known as “gumbo”. It’s the mud that sticks to your boots. I use a blend of clays from Ohio, Tennessee and Missouri. In the processing of this material they remove the gravel, twigs and any other foreign objects. Nothing is added. My clay bodies are formulated for the variety of uses my products are used for. All of my clay bodies are safe to use in your oven, microwave oven and your dishwasher. All of my work is fired to 2400’ in my gas or electric kilns.

Don Hanson, Master Potter

The Glazes:  

Glazes are made up with nothing but natural materials from the earth. They are mixed together in recipes for the color, texture and durability that I am trying to achieve. They are mixed together with water and applied to the piece. Firing at the extreme temperatures melts this glaze and adheres to the piece and at the same time it matures the clay body to form one solid piece. I do not use lead in my glazes therefore they are safe to use in your kitchen.

Don and his Gas kiln

The Kiln: 

The temperature must be brought up slowly at the beginning of the firing to about 1500’ and then fired at full pressure to 2400’. Depending on the end results I look for, I can add or remove the oxygen in the atmosphere inside the kiln at those high temperatures by adjusting the burners, damper and gas pressure. When the kiln reaches the desired temperature the kiln is shut off and is cooled slowly. This cooling cycle could take several hours, even days.

Finishing touches with the grinder

At work on the Gas Kiln

Photography by Connie Stevenson