about me
Gailen
Originally from Pittsburg, Kansas, Gailen Hudson has been in the NWA area for over 30 years. Earning a B.S. in Anthropology from Kansas State University, he took his first pottery classes under the distinguished Master Potter Angelo Garzio. During graduate school at the University of Arkansas, Gailen studied ceramics under Don Curtis.
Gailen is renowned for his talent and expertise with all things clay. In 2010 he founded The Clay Bank in Springdale, Arkansas which is the go-to place for anyone looking to play in the mud. While also being the premier pottery supply store in NWA. The Clay Bank offers pottery, equipment sells & repair, as well as advice for those looking to perfect their craft – all from Gailen himself.
Artist's Statement:
I like to make things out of clay, the raw earth minerals, and glaze to create forms to place into the fire. Due to the amorphous nature of the raw clay, the things I create may be small insect or animal forms or functional ware pottery. The fire hardens the mass into a new level of beauty and purpose to bring enrichment to my life and to others by the creative process of forming the clay and the effects of the fire. Manipulating clay is a most therapeutic activity to calm the soul and bring a refreshing to the human spirit.
This is why I like to use my hands to form clay – it is calming and give me a gentler approach to life. I use a potter’s wheel to make most of my forms but I also use several hand-building techniques to create the forms and assemble them. My work is influenced by many others with whom I have admiration for their skills and insights in the pottery processs, but I also look to other cultures with their values, materials, and technology to find a new outlook for the creative process.
– Gailen Hudson