Ken McDonald, Barbara Holden, Kennedy McDonald, J Kennedy McDonald

1921 Born Tennessee

1987 Died Florida

EDUCATION

1946-1949 Coursework, Chemistry, Mathematics, Electronics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1941— Radio Man, United States Navy

1946-1954 Co-owner, Markus Ceramics, Gatlinburg, Tennessee

1954-1969 Co-owner, McDonald Pottery, Gatlinburg, Tennessee

BIOGRAPHY

Kennedy McDonald is known for functional pottery thrown on a kick wheel. Early work was slip molded. The glaze palet included earth tones, opaque whites, and blues.

McDonald and his wife, Barbara McDonald, worked together at McDonald Pottery formerly Markus Ceramics.  They used Ohio red ball clay and fired in a square electric kiln during their years as Markus Ceramics. During the McDonald Pottery years, they switched to stoneware and firing in a gas kiln.

Public Collections

Southern Highland Craft Guild, Asheville, North Carolina

Bibliography

Blim, Sherry L., “ The McDonald Pottery: Clay with a Voice.” Vase Finder, http://www.vasefinder.com/pw-members/articles/mcdonald.pottery.asp

Smith, Samuel D. and Stephen T. Rogers. Tennessee Potteries, Pots and Potters 1790s – 1950 Volume 1. Nashville, TN: Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, 2011.

Southern Highland Craft Guild