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FERNDALE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Ferndale is six miles north of Bellingham and is comprised of approximately 16,330 people. Downtown Ferndale is a relatively small but bustling area, with unique shops and services tucked around every corner.
Jesse Hughs, a 27-year-old Ferndale resident, was born and raised in Ferndale and has opened a business called Uncle Jesse’s Pottery. Hughs shared that he’s stayed in Ferndale because he enjoys participating in the community.
“I’m really proud and privileged to be able to be from Ferndale, be from Whatcom County and then start my business [here] and see it grow,” Hughs said. “That will always be special to me.”
Though Uncle Jesse’s Pottery is a well-established shop in the heart of Ferndale, Hughs did not always know his calling was to be a ceramic artist.
Growing up, Hughs did not consider himself to be “artsy.” He was hands-on and liked to build things, often finding enjoyment in wood and metalworking. However, in high school, students were required to take an art class. Hughs signed up for a ceramics class and quickly found a new passion.
“Once I took the first class, that was it. I was hooked,” he said. “That was just my median that I found I loved working with. Clay was just the one that was for me.”
The heart of Hughs’ passion is making things that are usable but still serve as a piece of art. Eventually, that drive turned into a newfound joy in making purposeful ceramics for other people.
The first part of Hughs’ week is spent in production creating, glazing and experimenting with his own ceramic creations.
Hughs also uses his gifts to give others the chance to connect with clay. He works with students at Carl Cozier Elementary School and Bellingham Elementary School doing workshop pottery classes.
The pottery classes usually span across nine weeks and throughout the program students make two pieces. Hughs teaches students to create a pinch pot but makes sure to throw in something free form as well.
In a recent program at Carl Cozier Elementary, students had to create a creature. Hughs took the creations and fired them, bringing them back for the students to glaze before they’re fired once more. Finally, on the last day, he brings a pottery wheel and each student gets to try throwing clay.
“I love adding opportunities like doing the workshops with the school, giving the kids an outlet to have creativity,” he said. “Sometimes they come up with these cool ideas I would have never thought of.”
Hughs has taken sharing the gift of pottery a step further by opening his studio space to other local ceramicists. Valley View Pottery is the newest addition to Uncle Jesse’s Pottery and showcases the work of different artists in Whatcom County.
Though he still has his own dedicated section, the other artists can feature and sell their work through Hughs’ business. There are now four artists with work on display who are in the same position Hughs once was and he loves helping them get their name out there.
“Growing up I was a very shy person, being in this position is kind of weird for me,” Hughs said. “Personally I don’t want to be known for anything besides providing art and opportunities in the community.”
The heart of Hughs’ passion is throwing and at the end of every day—no matter the length—he feels as though he didn’t work a minute of it. Hughs loves trying new things with clay and collaborating with other artists in the shop accentuates that drive to experiment.
As Uncle Jesse’s Pottery and Valley View Gallery continue to evolve, Hughs hopes to culminate a plethora of meaningful art and continue fostering connection within the Ferndale and greater Whatcom County community.
We are Whatcom is a weekly column featuring Whatcom County residents making a positive impact on the community. To submit a Whatcom County resident to be featured, click here.