Bill Harris
“I hope this recognition by ACTA sparks a passion within our community that lights a fire that burns for the next 4,000 plus years.”
Bill Harris
Photo by Elizabeth Harris
Photo by Hilary Harris
"When We Were Revered", Photo by Bill Harris
Photo by Elizabeth Harris
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He sees his grandmother’s hands in his.
Bill Harris is a master Catawba potter. Catawba pottery is an indigenous art form that dates back at least 4,000 years and has survived without a generational stop. What began as a tradition of function has extended to a true form of art. Bill was a student of his grandmother, renowned master Catawba potter, Georgia Harris. She taught him how to find the clay needed to make Catawba pottery at the tribal clay hole that has been used for over 500 years. She showed him how to process the clay and how to form the clay using coils. She also showed him how to use river rocks to rub the pots and create the smooth surface of Catawba pottery. Lastly, she showed him the final step of tempering the pots in an open fire, creating the black, gray, and earthy brown colors of the completed product.
After his grandmother died, Bill inherited a box of seashells, broken spoons, and other primitive tools that she used for over 75 years to make her art. When Bill watches his hands making Catawba pottery, he sees his grandmother’s hands. The tradition connects Bill to his grandmother. While he enjoys creating Catawba pottery, the thing that Bill finds most important is to teach others just as my grandmother taught him.
What does being a Taproot Fellow mean to you in your practice and community?
It is an honor to be recognized by an organization of the caliber of ACTA and to have resources that will contribute to the preservation of Catawba Pottery. It is important to receive recognition beyond our community of our over 4,000-year tradition and the art made with our clay. Accredited, outside recognition reminds citizens of Catawba of the significance and value of our art. It acknowledges the past, current, and future artists of Catawba clay. I hope this recognition by ACTA sparks a passion within our community that lights a fire that burns for the next 4,000 plus years.
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