mobile Alabama local artist interviews

A Comprehensive Review of Doyle Pottery: A Hub of Creativity and Community in Mobile, Alabama
Introduction
Nestled in the vibrant city of Mobile, Alabama, Doyle Pottery stands as a beacon of artistic expression, fostering creativity through its extensive offerings in pottery and ceramic arts. Under the guidance of Doyle Hickman, a seasoned potter with 28 years of experience, this private studio has become a cornerstone for both novice and seasoned artists. Beyond its core offerings of pottery classes, art materials, and kiln space, Doyle Pottery has recently expanded its scope to include a unique music and arts section, spotlighting local Mobile artists through music sales and engaging interviews. This review explores the multifaceted aspects of Doyle Pottery, emphasizing its educational programs, community engagement, and innovative integration of music and art, providing a detailed look at why this studio is a must-visit for anyone passionate about creativity.
Pottery and Ceramic Classes: A Hands-On Learning Experience
Doyle Pottery offers a robust selection of pottery and ceramic classes tailored to beginners and advanced learners alike. Operating 24/7, the studio ensures flexibility for students with varying schedules. Private classes, limited to a maximum of three students, are held in Doyle’s intimate studio at 1258 Druid Drive, Mobile, Alabama, while group classes are available at the municipal park. The studio features a single pottery wheel, with students taking turns during two-hour sessions, ensuring ample time for hands-on practice.
Pricing and Accessibility
The pricing structure is designed to be accessible and encouraging for repeat engagement. The first pottery class costs $50, with subsequent classes offered at half price ($25). Online bookings come with a 30% discount, reducing the initial class to $35, and all major cards are accepted for upfront payments. The flexibility to reschedule classes at any time adds to the convenience, making it easy for students to fit lessons into their busy lives. Additionally, a small material fee of $2–$5 per student covers the cost of clay and other supplies, depending on the size of the work created. For one-time classes, Doyle generously glazes all items at no additional cost, with finished pieces available for pickup once fired.
Course Structure and Levels
Doyle Pottery’s curriculum is thoughtfully structured into three levels for both wheel throwing and hand-building techniques, ensuring a progressive learning experience.
Wheel Throwing

Level 1: Making a Bowl (24 Hours / 12 Classes)This beginner-friendly course focuses on foundational skills such as centering clay, creating a center hole, stretching clay, using a rib, trimming, and glazing. Most students can create a small bowl within 12–24 hours, with the flexibility to extend practice as needed. The course encourages persistence, noting that hand building may be a better fit for those who find wheel throwing challenging.

Level 2: Making a Coffee Cup (24 Hours / 12 Classes)Advancing to cylinders, this level introduces more complex techniques like trimming cylinders and handle making. Students progress from 4-inch to 8–10-inch cylinders, learning professional handle-pulling techniques for efficiency and aesthetic appeal. Creativity is encouraged, with infinite handle designs possible.

Level 3: Making a Teapot (24 Hours / 12 Classes)Reserved for those who can throw at least 6-inch cylinders, this advanced course covers teapot body construction, spout and lid creation, and assembly. Mastery of lid fitting is emphasized, with options for non-clay handles like bamboo. This level prepares students to become advanced potters, though Doyle notes that true mastery may take years of exploration.

Hand Building

Level 1: Coil Construction (8 Hours / 4 Classes)Ideal for beginners, this course uses an extruder to create smooth coils for building vessels. Students learn to form bases, assemble coil walls, and finish forms, with the potential to create large pieces up to 36 inches. Doyle encourages ambitious first projects to build confidence, with examples of beginner coil vases listed for sale at $1200 on the studio’s website.

Level 2: Slab Construction (8 Hours / 4 Classes)Students create textured boxes using slabs, learning to roll, cut, and assemble them. The process includes drying slabs for 18 hours before assembly and glazing, with opportunities to explore other slab-based forms.

Level 3: Modeling and Carving Forms (8 Hours / 4 Classes)This advanced sculpture course involves building a frame and covering it with clay to create detailed forms, often starting with a drawing. The process can be time-intensive, potentially requiring 30 hours for intricate sculptures, with options for multiple glaze firings or bronze casting through external services.

Apprenticeship Program: A Unique Opportunity
One of Doyle Pottery’s standout features is its apprenticeship program, designed to make pottery accessible to dedicated students. After taking a few classes, students can become apprentices, receiving free lessons and materials in exchange for creating pieces for Doyle to sell. This mutually beneficial arrangement allows apprentices to hone their skills without financial burden while contributing to the studio’s inventory. The program is highly flexible, with no minimum or maximum session times, and is open to beginners who have taken at least one class. Apprentices like Jake, who is documented working on a lidded ceramic sculpture, showcase their progress in the Apprentice Gallery, highlighting the program’s success in nurturing talent.
Art and Materials Shop: Affordable and Accessible Supplies
Doyle Pottery serves as a distributor for Standard Clay Company (https://www.standardclay.com/), offering quarterly orders for a wide range of ceramic materials. The shop provides low-cost supplies, including cone 6 glazes (e.g., bright yellow, sapphire blue, mottled brown, stormy blue, sea mist green, and glossy white, all priced at $6 per pint) and 25lb bags of white stoneware with grog for $25. Tools imported from China, such as razor knives, scratch and slip tools, wire cutters, tile sponges, carving/trimming tools, and pointer tools, are available for $1.85 each, with free local delivery or pickup by appointment. The shop also sells pottery, paintings, and sculptures created by Doyle and his students, with student works listed for free on the website (www.doylepottery.com), where shipping arrangements are handled directly between students and customers.
Kiln Space Rental: A Global Connection
For artists needing kiln access, Doyle Pottery offers a 37-inch kiln space for rent through Kilnshare (https://www.kilnshare.com/.../olympic-kiln-mobile-al.../). This service connects Doyle’s studio to a global network, allowing artists to fire their work conveniently. The availability of kiln space enhances the studio’s appeal to both local and visiting ceramists.
Gallery and Apprentice Gallery: Showcasing Creativity
The Doyle Pottery website features a Gallery and an Apprentice Gallery, showcasing the work of Doyle and his students. Notable pieces include a beginner student’s slab-constructed sculpture and apprentice Jake’s lidded ceramic sculpture, documented with photos and sketches from various stages of creation. The galleries serve as a platform for students to display and sell their work, fostering a sense of accomplishment and community. Videos of apprentices in action are promised soon, adding a dynamic element to the online experience.
Community Engagement: A Hub for Local Artists
Doyle Pottery’s commitment to community is evident in its efforts to connect local artists and enthusiasts. The studio hosts group classes at the municipal park, creating opportunities for larger gatherings and fostering a sense of camaraderie among participants. The intimate studio setting, limited to three students, ensures personalized attention, while the open shop environment at the park encourages collaboration and creativity.
New Music and Arts Section: A Spotlight on Mobile’s Talent
In an exciting development, Doyle Pottery has introduced a Music and Arts Section to its website, dedicated to promoting Mobile’s native artists. This initiative, led by young artist Ryan Jetten, aims to create a “nest” of local talent, connecting artists who are from Mobile, even if they now reside elsewhere. The section features music for sale by local artists and a series of engaging interviews, adding a vibrant dimension to the studio’s offerings.
Music for Sale
The Music for Sale page highlights albums by Mobile native artists, with a focus on electronic musician Johnny Jitters and his AudArt music group (Jitter Crew). Available albums include Saturation Index, Coalesce, Easy Patient, Rituals Radius, Dunes, Closure, Diarios de Xalapa, and Fine Valley Pass. These works are accessible for purchase, allowing fans to support local talent directly through the Doyle Pottery website. This initiative not only diversifies the studio’s offerings but also strengthens its role as a cultural hub by providing a platform for musicians to reach a broader audience.
Mobile Artists Interviews
The Mobile Artists Interviews section, hosted by Ryan Jetten under his YouTube series Everybody’s Famous, is a standout feature. Jetten, a Mobile native now based in Denver, conducts interviews with local artists, including musicians, painters, and sculptors. Each episode features a unique intro, showcasing Jetten’s artistic flair. Notable interviews include:

Johnny Jitters, a native Mobile electronic musician and close friend of Doyle’s, whose work is also available for purchase.
Ina Ester, a local artist featured in a dynamic interview.
Celeste Laborde, another Mobile native sharing her creative journey.
Nemo, a musician and songwriter whose interview highlights Mobile’s diverse talent pool.

These interviews provide an intimate look at the careers and inspirations of Mobile’s artists, fostering a sense of pride and connection within the community. By integrating this content into the website, Doyle Pottery bridges the gap between visual arts and music, creating a holistic platform that celebrates all forms of creativity.
About Doyle Hickman: A Passionate Mentor
Doyle Hickman, the heart and soul of Doyle Pottery, brings 28 years of experience to his craft, having started his journey in 1996. Trained at the University of South Alabama under ceramics professors Loyd Patten and Tony Wright, Doyle has earned several prestigious awards and developed a unique style that blends traditional and contemporary techniques. His philosophy emphasizes the therapeutic and expressive power of clay, encouraging students to find their own voice in the medium. Available 24/7 via phone or text at 251-229-9023, Doyle’s dedication to his students and community is unwavering, making him a beloved figure in Mobile’s art scene.
Conclusion
Doyle Pottery is more than a pottery studio; it is a vibrant community hub that nurtures creativity, supports local artists, and fosters artistic growth. Its comprehensive pottery classes, accessible pricing, and innovative apprenticeship program make it an ideal destination for anyone interested in ceramics. The studio’s shop and kiln rental services provide essential resources for artists, while the Gallery and Apprentice Gallery celebrate the achievements of students and mentors alike. The recent addition of the Music and Arts Section, with its focus on local music sales and artist interviews, elevates Doyle Pottery’s role as a cultural cornerstone in Mobile, Alabama. By spotlighting talents like Johnny Jitters and Ryan Jetten, the studio not only enriches the local art scene but also connects Mobile’s creative community to a global audience. For those seeking to explore pottery, support local artists, or simply immerse themselves in a world of creativity, Doyle Pottery is an unparalleled destination.