The Marks Project - A Marks Dictionary of American Studio Pottery, 1946 to Present

Ruth Ballard, Ruth Ferguson

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

—Potter, Pigeon Forge Pottery, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

BIOGRAPHY

 

Ruth Ballard is known for creating pottery at Pigeon Forge Pottery. Ballard and her husband, Douglas Ferguson, founded Pigeon Forge Pottery in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in 1946. Red clay found near the pottery was used to make thrown or slip cast wares finished with matte glazes and slip decoration.

The production includes animal figurines as well a full line of functional wares. In addition to Ferguson and Ballard, there were a number of studio workers. The pottery closed in 2000.

 

 

 

Center for CraftSouthern Highland Craft Guild

 

Typical Marks

R. Ballard + Pigeon Forge Pottery edged into wet clay or written in black at base of the piece

Bud Vase
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP
Vase
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP
Photo: TMP

Citation: Jeffrey Kuratnick. "The Marks Project." Last modified June 26, 2023. http://www.themarksproject.org:443/print/marks/ballard

Tags

Pigeon Forge Pottery, Tennessee, Southern Highland Craft Guild, Center for Craft , Douglas Ferguson, Mary Compton, G Griffin, Allean Huskey, Ellis Ownby, H. Shults, Betty Smelcer, W. Utterback, Ernest Wilson

 

©2016 The Marks Project, Inc | [email protected] | This printer-friendly version is provided for non-commercial use only.

Terms & Conditions (http://themarksproject.org/terms-and-conditions) | Privacy Policy (http://themarksproject.org/privacy-policy)