By John Torsiello

Jane Herold, owner of Jane Herold Pottery, is feeling upbeat about 2021; and why not? The “chefs are returning,” ordering plates and bowls, and over the past year she’s been making dinnerware for “local people,” which has been “a lot of fun.”

“We work out the shapes, sizes, and colors together,” Herold says of her personalized dinnerware. “It leads me to new ideas, and keeps it lively for me. I also had a little time in 2020 to experiment with some new clay bodies that led to even more new dinnerware options.”

Herold, who does her thing in the country confines of West Cornwall, makes wheel-thrown, wood-fired, and gas-fired dinnerware and other pottery. She’s been doing so for over 30 years. Her work is intended “for everyday use and making every meal a pleasure.”

Herold plans two open houses later this year (one was held in May); one in October, the weekend after Indigenous Peoples Day (aka Columbus Day weekend), October 16 and 17; and another in December in that festive month’s first two weekends.

“The October event is linked to the Clay Way Studio Tour, which I am co-chairing this year,” says Herold. “We have nine pottery studios open and most studios invite guest artists to join them, so we’ll have about 18 potters exhibiting over those two days.” Those wishing details about the October tour can contact Herold through her website.

Jane Herold Pottery on Sharon/Goshen Turnpike is “always open by appointment or chance.”