Art Comes To Life At Barnhill Pottery

WEST CHATHAM – Susan Dimm has been making art come to life in her studio just off Route 28 for nearly 30 years. Like many artists, she found it would be easier to create her work if she owned her own studio. Ever since, Barnhill Pottery has been highly functional, just like the pieces being created there.

“I love functional work,” said Dimm. “It’s so tactile. You can do anything with it. You can go to the moon.”

From her small studio space, Dimm makes a range of clay pieces. Her work includes mugs, egg poachers, plates, platters and more. She’s done larger works in the past as well, including a pedestal sink and a bird bath. Custom orders come in frequently, too.

“I’ve done everything from personalized dog poles to lamps,” Dimm said. 

Dimm has been a potter by trade most of her life. She discovered her love for it after throwing her first pot in the fifth grade and spent seven years in art school studying ceramic work. With a smile, she joked she would need three lifetimes to do all the work she wants to. Especially during the peak tourist season, keeping up with the demand can be challenging.

 “For us to build up enough inventory to get through the summer, we have to crank all year,” said Dimm.

 In order for the clay to come out of the kiln in one piece, it has to be dried fully, which can take up to two weeks. Customers sometimes don’t realize the time and effort it takes to bring each piece from start to finish.

 “They just see the throwing part, which is probably the fastest part,” Dimm said, referring to molding the clay while wet. “But there’s 1,000 steps involved for it to get to the final stage.”

 The bisque firing happens first to harden the clay, wherein the kiln will be heated to 1,800 degrees. After the clay cools and is decorated, it’s fired in the kiln again, this time to 2,300 degrees. As a result of these firings, the studio can get extremely hot.

 But the end result is intricately designed functional pieces that make the process worth it. 

The designs painted on each piece capture the viewer’s attention.

 “I use my glazes like a painter would,” Dimm said. “Potters tend to have very limited motifs and color ranges. I don’t. I need a whole palette.”

 Seven years ago, Dimm brought on Sandi Valentine, a retired kindergarten teacher from Harwich to assist her in her work. The extra help eases the pressure on Dimm to produce, and Valentine’s work is on display, too. 

 “She pioneered this technique where she muddles lavender and hydrangea into the clay,” Dimm said.

 Valentine’s pieces feature floral imprints with a matching color palette, adding a certain diversity to the work available at the studio. 

 Additionally, a former student of Dimm’s from the Chatham Creative Arts Center has begun contributing her work, too. Kathy Wildman’s work includes carefully structured oyster plates and ring holders. 

 “It used to be just me,” Dimm said. “I don’t know how I did that.”

 Her work represents a career of care and attention to detail, with unique flourishes and styles. At Barnhill Pottery, there’s a purpose for each piece.