Featured Member: Tom Hughes

Meet today’s Featured Member, Tom Hughes. Tom is one of the kindest, most devoted, and generous members you will meet here at SCCA. He has been involved with SCCA since the beginning and has even served as a board member in the past. Tom actually had a hand in helping decide on SCCA’s current location off East 11th Street back in 2017. SCCA thrives off the support of people and members like Tom. We are very grateful to have him as a member.

We asked Tom, how did you get your start in ceramics? Tom said, “From the first time I saw someone making pottery, it has fascinated me. When my younger son went away to college, I wanted to find a hobby that I could enjoy by myself and since dirt was my favorite toy as a child, pottery was the natural choice for me.”

We asked Tom, what has pottery taught you about yourself? He responded, “Patience, no doubt, and when to let go. Early on it was difficult giving up on a piece that wanted to collapse, wasn't centered, or had some flaw in it. My first teacher, Victoria Kile, taught me that I didn't need to practice rescuing pieces; I needed to practice making pieces, and that if a piece wasn't working, release it to the recycle bucket, learn from the mistake, and start a new piece.”

Tom added, “Although I don’t work much directly in the studio, I would be glad to share anything I know, help anyone on a piece, or demonstrate how I make pieces. Many people have been very generous with me and I would gladly help anyone at the studio in any way I am able.”