Luling Icehouse Pottery has been in operation in Luling since 2000. The studio offers hand-crafted stoneware pottery for the home and garden; and provides pottery-making and art classes and workshops, for adults and children. Luling Icehouse Pottery resident potter Charley Pritchard began his pottery-making career in North Carolina where he was the first apprentice of the internationally acclaimed, British born potter Mark Hewitt. Charley went on to work for the Owens family and other renowned pottery-making families in North Carolina.
The couple was looking for an adventure, and wanted to work for themselves. “We had the idea to start a clay studio and gallery years before moving to Texas, and the discovery and purchase of the historic Luling icehouse in 2000 persuaded us to move from North Carolina to Texas,” Holly said. “The pottery we create is made, decorated and fired in our studio here, and customers can view various stages of the entire ceramic process from the sales gallery,” Charley said. “We offer pottery-making and fine art classes and workshops to adults and children in the spring, summer and fall.”
“We are grateful for our customer base which has kept us going for more than 20 years, especially during times of severe general economic downturn,” Holly added.
Luling Icehouse Pottery has been featured in Texas Highways Magazine, the San Antonio Express-News, the Austin Chronicle, the Austin American Statesman and on KUT Radio in Austin. In fact, being discovered by Texas Highways Magazine during their first year in business is one of their most memorable moments. Other memorable moments have been watching the enjoyment children experience when working with clay during kids’ camps and listening to the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ of adult clay students watching their fired artwork come out of the kiln.
“We are excited, with the help of the Luling Main Street Facade Grant program, to finally begin restoration work on the 1928 historic icehouse,” Charley offered. “We have enjoyed the experience of working in and with an historic building, and encourage other entrepreneurs to consider giving a new purpose to other historic properties in our town,” the couple agreed. “The people in this area have been very friendly and welcoming, and we like the proximity to major urban areas - such as Austin, San Antonio, and Houston without having to live there.”
The Pritchards agree that, “When you shop locally you are supporting small businesses which are the backbone of America. When our local small businesses do well it encourages other business startups in our town, which enhances tourism and job growth.”
