Face Jugs, Snakes & Others by Melvin Crocker

The Crocker family of five boys and two girls grew up directly behind Wilson’s Pottery near Lula, Georgia. The proximity of the pottery led Michael, Dwayne, and Melvin to work there for various periods of time. As a result they all have become first generation potters. In the early 1970’s much of the work in a pottery was still done by hand. There was clay to mix, “balls”” of clay to be wired and fixed for the potters in this case J. H., and Monteen Wilson, and their son Jimmy. There were kilns to load and un-load and firewood to stack to fire the kiln, and general work to be performed. Michael and Dwayne “played” at the wheel and learned the rudiments of turning. Melvin spent his time absorbing the art of fine detail work.

Melvin has captured the North Georgia Mountain flair for the unusual while using his gift for art with fine detail.