Ryan Wheeler - PXV Potter

Through layers of weathered surfaces and expressive brushwork, Phoenixville potter Ryan Wheeler creates functional works of art infused with the human touch we long for in our ever-increasing digital world.

You may know Ryan as a co-owner of Studio 323 or a ceramics instructor, but he also has a personal art practice creating functional works of art right here in Phoenixville. Look for Ryan’s work at the Phoenixville Pottery Festival on 8/7/26, 5:30-8:30 PM.

What first drew you to clay?

I took my first clay class in high school and have been hooked ever since. Getting dirty, working with my hands, and the long-form process all contributed to my initial love for clay. My grandfather was a landscaper, and I loved going to work with him. There was a certain satisfaction I felt when we would show up to a job and transform the property into something beautiful. I felt very similar feelings when I was first introduced to clay. I loved the challenge of learning to throw on the wheel, then trimming, then decorating and glazing. The combination of all these different skills coming together into one piece has always appealed to me.

How do you create the textures and designs on your pieces?

I use a combination of different tools for my textures and designs, many being homemade. They are made from old saw blades and tools that are not typically designed for clay-specific tasks. Most of the textures are a combo of these old saw blades and scraping to achieve that weathered and worn surface. I also take scissors and cut up paintbrushes to create different patterns and brushstrokes across the textured surface. I continue to weather the surface with other underglazes, slips, and water until it has the "patina" look that I am going for. I want my pots to feel old, worn, well-loved, maybe even a bit dirty. The pots that look like they have already lived a long life, or have been buried and forgotten somewhere outside, are my favorites. There is something about the layers of surface and wear that appeals to me, like an old leather wallet or a wall covered with layers of graffiti.

What is your preferred firing method?

My favorite way to fire my work is to wood/salt fire. When wood firing, the flame and ash build additional layers onto the textures I’ve already created. This makes the clay surface even deeper and adds another opportunity to build the layered patina. However, over the past few years I have been pushing myself to find surfaces I am happy with in an electric kiln. Wood firing is a very labor-intensive process. With owning a business, teaching classes, and having a one-year-old at home, my making time has been cut drastically. We fire an electric kiln at our studio for classes and camps, so I have been experimenting with new ways to achieve a similar layered surface. This introduces the challenge of trying to add layers myself, that were previously added with the natural firing process of the wood/salt kiln. While I still prefer the wood/salt fired look, I believe with some more experimentation and exploration, I can find a surface that I find just as interesting in the electric kiln.

Why do you believe functional art is important?

I believe functional art is important because of the connection it builds with the user. Few art forms allow you to interact with them in your everyday life the way pottery does. Especially in a world of mass production, I love that pottery slows you down to appreciate the small things like mugs, cups, bowls, and plates. The way a handle feels in your hand, how a plate curves to fit the meal you're serving, the way a vase displays your favorite flowers, or maybe it's the one cup that fits in your cupholder. These things were all considered by the artist, and many of them are only discovered through interaction with the piece. I believe those interactions and connections are the most important things about functional art.

Where can people look for your work?

My work can be found at our studio/shop, Studio 323, on Bridge Street in Phoenixville. We will also have a booth at the Phoenixville Pottery Festival this year where we will have my pottery for sale, as well as info about our studio. Additionally, my wife and I are having a collaborative show in November at Julie Miller Pottery on Gay Street in Phoenixville. We will each have new individual work there, as well as some brand new collab pieces!