About Us

Dot Burnworth
Owner, Head Custodian 

I opened Sawmill Pottery in September, 2003 despite overwhelming advice against it. I was told that it would never survive, that Putnam was not ready for a pottery studio. What I've found is exactly the opposite. Folks in Northeast CT were just dying for a creative outlet like Sawmill Pottery. 

I'm super proud of the creative community we've built. The amazing people I get to share the studio with are what keeps me at it year after year. I am passionate about building community through the arts, and I'm currently working on bringing more public art to Putnam. 

When I'm not in the studio, I'm usually out in the woods on my mountain bike, traveling in my adventure van, or building an addition on our home.

 

David Sullivan
Studio Manager, Glaze Guru 

I have been part of the awesome Sawmill Community for 15 years. Most of my time is spent working with our students and community members, helping them get the best out of their work. 

When I get a chance to make my own pieces, I attempt to make work that reflects the natural world around us. I want these pieces to become part of one’s daily routine, making those little moments in our lives more joyous. 

When I'm not in the studio, I'm working on improving our home, mountain biking, playing games, and not being too peer pressured by Finn to DO SOMETHING FUN. 

My earliest memory of working with art was when my preschool classmate told me I was supposed to color inside the lines. Well, I showed you Tommy!

 

Shannon Ferri
Studio Tech/ Workshop Instructor/ Organizer of Incessant Clutter 

As a young child, I was always found playing in the mud. In fact, my mother took the spigot off the outdoor faucet because she feared I would run our well dry providing water to my “mud pie bakery.” As an adult, my passion for mud was channeled into more productive means. I began my journey in pottery in 2010 taking classes at Worcester Craft Center. In 2018 I joined Sawmill Pottery’s amazing clay community. 

After teaching young children for 20 years, I decided to devote my energy to ceramics full time. When I am not wrestling the pug mill into submission in the backroom of Sawmill, I can be found teaching clay workshops or creating work in my home studio. 

For me, pottery is the perfect blend of science and alchemy! I am inspired by the basic elements of nature-earth, air, fire and water. My work reflects the synergy of the elements with gentle lines, smooth curves and earthy colors. 

My non clay time is spent with my husband and son (who happen to be my best friends) reading, listening to music, and providing the best life ever for our rescue cats. ( I swear I'm not a crazy cat lady! I prefer the term feline enthusiast.) 

 

Beth Feen
Instructor / Studio tech / Pug Lord

I discovered my love for pottery through ceramics classes at Quinnebaug Valley Community College. Clay offered a creative outlet unlike any other, providing a profound sense of mindfulness and solace. I love the meditative process of wheel throwing and the joy of crafting functional pieces that puts emphasis on appreciating the current moment! It drives my soul to advocate for the value of creative expression, which is why it is my greatest honor to be an instructor here at Sawmill!

When I’m not teaching, I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in the technical side of our pottery world. I thrive on the hands-on work of recycling clay and mixing glazes, while continually learning about studio management. I find so much fulfillment in sharing the love for clay as well as growing closer to this community that I adore!

Outside of the studio, I enjoy exploring other art forms, spending time with family, reading, and worshipping my cat!

 

Hanna Kunkel
Instructor / Studio tech / Meme Wizard  

I knew I fell in love with pottery when I started skipping lunch to stay in the art room and perfect a dog bowl on the wheel. I’ve been doing pottery ever since — and now I’m grateful to work as a studio tech and teach the kids’ classes here at Sawmill.

In my own craft- I enjoy foraging wild clay on hikes and learning ways to process the clay to make/ decorate my pieces. I am especially drawn to woodfired pottery and the unpredictability of it. My goal with pottery is to bring these two together and create pieces that are raw, wild, and feel like the land they came from.

When I’m not in the studio, you can find me with my dog bojack, drinking lots of coffee, or sending pottery memes in our sawmill group chat.

 

Jen Field
Instructor / Employee of the month...every month  

I’m entering my 15th year with the Sawmill Pottery community, and I couldn’t be more proud of what it’s become! What began as a hobby for me, grew into a passion that I love that I get to share with others. I enjoy making functional pottery (with the occasional gnome thrown in for good measure), but even more fulfilling is the opportunity to teach others and watch as they find their own personal love for pottery.

Having recently become an empty-nester, I spend my time outside of pottery building up my new gardens and taking my dogs to their favorite trail at Bigelow Hollow.

 

Finnegan (Toast Crunch)
Welcoming Committee Chair / Food Clean-up Crew

Finn is our studio greeter-- welcoming studio members and visitors with enthusiasm and eagerness. Finn welcomes all pets and treats. His favorite pastime at Sawmill Pottery is finding the one spot in the studio where he will be most underfoot. He has been a lifelong studio dog, growing up first with Kevin Ryan at Muddy Brook Pottery in Ellington and then joining Dot and David when he was 7 to live out his golden years at Sawmill Pottery. He is a sweet, gentle soul who would definitely win a "most popular" contest at Sawmill Pottery. 

When Finn is not at work, he loves playing with his stuffed dino and bronto, playing frisbee nonstop for hours and hours, going on romps in the woods, and occasionally getting a little too friendly with neighborhood skunks.

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Here are some links to potters we know and/or those whose work we enjoy:

* Nancy Dziki, Nancy Pottery
* Larry Elardo, M Street Potters
* Holly Shaw, Meadow Point Pottery
* Sally Resnick
* Carolyn Judson
* Jon Puzzuoli
* Mark Zellers
* Doug Peltzman  
* Jeremy Randall  
* Ruchika Madan  
* Todd Wahlstrom  

 

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LOCAL LINKS

www.discoverputnam.com
www.VisitNECT.com
www.HistoricNewEngland.org (Roseland Cottage) www.woodstockhistoricalsociety.com
www.tlgv.org (The Last Green Valley)
www.VisitPomfret.com
www.ExploreWoodstock.com
killinglybusinessassociation.com
www.artistsinthecountry.org

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