Vernon Owens (b. 1941) was hired in 1960 as Jugtown Pottery’s thrower. He learned to throw on the wheel by watching his father, Melvin Owens, work in the pottery that his grandfather, J.H. Owens, had founded around 1895. In 1983, Owens purchased Jugtown Pottery from Country Roads, a non profit organization devoted to conserving Southern crafts. Vernon’s signature pieces are salt galzed jugs, round lidded jars, pitchers, candlesticks and bowls, many of which are made in the traditional Jugtown shapes.
Pam Owens (b. 1958) studied pottery at High Mowing School in 1975 and apprenticed at Jugtown in 1977. She also apprenticed at Beaumont Heritage Pottery and Cheshire Pottery in 1979 and 1980. She then returned to Jugtown to complete her apprenticeship and married Vernon. She enjoys creating classic forms, especially jugs, teapots, bowls, and birdhouses.
