Charlie Tefft
North Carolina

White Stoneware
Functional
10.25"w x 9.5"l x 13.5"h

About the Teapot
I create functional pottery that brings joy to everyday moments, blending utility with narrative through hand‑painted animal imagery. My work is inspired by a lifelong fascination with the natural world, particularly the wildlife of North America. I aim to capture the energy and character of these animals, using them to create connections between people, place, and pottery.
Each piece begins with wheel‑thrown or hand‑built forms made from white stoneware or porcelain clay. After the bisque firing, I apply layers of homemade oxide washes and some underglaze to illustrate birds, foxes, rabbits, and other animals in motion or repose. The pieces are then finished with an ash‑based glaze and fired in a gas kiln, where the fluidity of the glaze, combined with the brushwork, contributes to the uniqueness of every piece.

About the Artist
Charlie Tefft is a studio potter and educator based in Greensboro, North Carolina. In 1999, he returned to his alma mater, Guilford College, to teach a single semester while living in Atlanta and making pottery full time. What was intended to be a short-term appointment before graduate school evolved into a lasting commitment. That one class grew into a part-time position directing the ceramics program, a role he has held ever since.
In 2000, Tefft built his first backyard studio in Greensboro, creating a dedicated space for exploration and making. That spring, a pair of Carolina Wrens nested in the studio wall insulation — an experience that profoundly influenced the direction of his work. From that point forward, birds and animals became central sources of inspiration, informing both his forms and surface imagery.
Since 2002, Tefft has focused on painting on pots using a restrained and carefully developed palette. Working primarily with two ash glazes layered over oxide and Mason stain washes, he embraces the complexity that emerges from limitation. Through decades of experimentation, he has deepened his understanding of how application, layering, and atmospheric firing affect surface and color. Each firing becomes an opportunity to examine subtle shifts in tone, texture, and interaction between materials.
For much of his career, Tefft has sold his work directly to the public through local and regional exhibitions, building a community around functional pottery that blends careful craftsmanship with expressive, hand-painted animal imagery. His work reflects a sustained investigation into material, process, and the quiet presence of the natural world.

Artist Statement
I strive to create pottery that is both visually engaging and deeply functional—objects that invite use and interaction while fostering a sense of connection to nature and the handmade. Ultimately, I hope my work enriches daily rituals, whether through a favorite mug for morning coffee or a serving bowl passed around the table.

*Teapots that are purchased will remain on display in the gallery for the duration of the exhibition, through September 14, 2026.
After the show closes, teapots will be carefully packed and shipped by September 28, or they may be picked up at the gallery.

National Teapot Show XIII

Filter by

Charlie Tefft - Three Possom Teapot