ON DISPLAY: Artisan John Shedd is shown by his featured entry at the New Jersey State Museum in 2017. The exhibit, “Fifty of Fifty,” honored 50 leading New Jersey artists who had received state grants for their work during the past 50 years.

By Jean Stratton

Talent, imagination, skill, and experience all come together when artisan John Shedd works on his creations.

At his Hopewell studio, which he built in 2018, he starts the process: planning, designing, carefully taking it step by step, until ultimately bringing it to fruition as it is heated in the kiln.

Many of the finished items are then displayed at The Tomato Factory Antiques & Design Center, 2 Somerset Street in Hopewell, where he has had a gallery since 2017. Others have been commissioned and then presented to the recipient, whether an individual or organization.

As he comments, “While a great deal of my work now is commissioned, the bulk of the work is speculative or made for the trade. There is a little more freedom in making things that aren’t ordered.”

Color Intensity, Texture

“I have been drawn to the exploration of glazes and ceramic surface decoration for 40 years,” Shedd continues. “Within the demanding limitations of that study, I have found a reserve of directions abundant enough to last for a lifetime. Progress in this work is measured in the opulent bounty of that rare piece that withstands the challenge of fire and atmosphere, to become a surface rich in color, intensity, and texture.

“The truly successful attempt avoids the temptation of artifice of illustration. Moreover, it must be the honest embodiment of the beauty inherent in a natural material.”

John Shedd’s fascination with this area of creative endeavor began when he took a ceramics class in college. Growing up in Illinois, he attended Rockford College, receiving a BFA in ceramics. It was the right choice, he recalls, “By the second term, I was making clay, became a teacher’s assistant, worked in the ceramics shop, and mixed glazes. By my sophomore year, I thought I could become an artisan.”

He went on to earn an MFA in ceramics from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, and after travels and various opportunities in New Mexico and South Caroline, he ultimately settled in Rocky Hill, opening his own studio and gallery, Clayphernalia, in 1979.

He transformed the 18th century building, formerly a gristmill, into a showcase for his work. He also discovered that his father’s engineering profession was meaningful in his own life and work as well.

“Engineering is very creative,” he explains. “There is a quote that says, ‘Make the machines that make the tools. Make the tools that make the tools.’”

CREATIVE ENDEAVOR: This 27-inch hanging platter in ash glaze is notable for its striking blend of colors and unique design. As potter John Shedd describes it, “These are new glaze attempts that were developed within the last several months. I plan to do more with this white glaze as it really is a lovely glaze.”

Durability and Beauty

He finds that to be true in his own work. He has made many of the machines in his studio, and as he points out, science underlies everything. “One of the attractions in my work is that I wear a lot of hats. I can be an engineer, a chemist. It is all-encompassing.”

“I first started out working in stoneware,” he continues. “And then, also in tiles, clay, and glassware. Anything that goes through the heat process. Now, my work is exclusively porcelain, chosen for its durability and beauty in both functional and decorative work. I find that each form has its own challenge to make successfully. Sometimes it is more an issue of a favorite glaze or finishing. I like glazing most of all and the firing.”

As his reputation grew, Shedd became known not only in the area, but nationwide for the high quality and beauty of his creations. Decorative and functional pieces, including dinnerware, serving pieces, bowls, trays, platters, pitchers, mugs, vases, candlesticks, lamps, and wall hangings were all in demand. Items range in price from $25 and $30 for smaller pieces to higher costs for the much larger creations.

His work was also exhibited in various shows, exhibits, and galleries. This led to his products being available in such retail stores as Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf’s, and Macy’s.

“Years ago, I had a regular show schedule that was pretty grueling,” explains Shedd. “My record one year was doing 12 shows. These shows were ‘for the trade.’ The preparation for the show (making and collecting samples, inspecting and refurbishing show display, and making promotional materials, fliers, and cards) could take about a week. Then the show would run for about four days and maybe three days in travel time. So, in the year of 12 shows, I was only spending six months working in the studio, and was tired for 12!

“I stopped doing that. I had a show schedule that required travel from Florida to Boston, as far inland as Chicago and points in between. Lately, however, I have realized that I can rely on returning customers, and I don’t have to do shows. I do have many local customers from this area but I also have existing clients from across the country.”

Awards and Honors

His work has received many awards and honors. Among those especially meaningful to him are a Niche award from the Rosen Agency in 1991; and a Historic Preservation Award from the State of New Jersey in 2007 for three tile fireplaces installed in the Woodrow Wilson House rehabilitation.

Also, the “Niche Award for Craft Excellence”: Niche Magazine; “Fellowship Recipient for Ceramics”: New Jersey State Council on the Arts; and “Mayor’s Selection”: The City of New Brunswick.

Numerous galleries and showrooms have exhibited his work as well. These include Contrasts of Red Bank; Cedar Creek Gallery of Creedmore, N.C.; Sheila Nussbaum Gallery of Millburn; Gallery 3 of Roanoke, Va,; Limited Editions of Surf City; Marion Ruth of Brookline, Mass.; East-West Potters Gallery of New York, N.Y.; Quintessence of Roslyn, N.Y.; Left Bank Gallery of Wellfleet, Mass.; Appalachian Spring of Washington, D.C.; and The Farrell Collection of Washington, D.C.

Shedd is a member of The American Crafts Council and the New Jersey Designers Craftsmen.

Among his many projects are a number that have been commissioned by area restaurants, including the former Tre Piani of Plainsboro, One 53 in Rocky Hill, and elements and Mistral in Princeton. He was able to create custom serving pieces in various shapes, sizes, and colors, offering a unique complement to dining opportunities. This is a special niche that brings together hand-crafted ceramics and culinary creations.

Historical Background

Seven years ago, Shedd made a major location change when he moved his gallery to the Tomato Factory in Hopewell, and a year later his studio, also to Hopewell.

“Tomato Factory’s rich historical background, its proximity to Princeton, Bucks Country, Philadelphia, and New York was very appealing to me,” he points out. “Remember that I had spent almost 40 years in a mill that had been built before Rocky Hill existed (1710). Tomato Factory also attracts customers from across the region and even nationally on its own. I thought that it would be an ideal location for my gallery, and I was right about that.”

Adds Steven Haase of MarketAgentz, who has led the marketing for Tomato Factory for the past 10 years, “Having John Shedd and his work at Tomato Factory is an honor that benefits everyone here, including our customers and our other 17 dealers and small businesses.

“As one of the top artisans in the region, John and his work have been featured by well-known galleries, museums, and regional and national media, including the New York Times, NBC News, CBS News, ABC News, Philadelphia Magazine, NJ Monthly magazine, and national trade publications. He has been a master artisan for more than 40 years, attracting customers from across the country, and we are lucky to have him here at Tomato Factory.”

Process and Rhythm

Shedd has much to look forward to as he continues his life work in a new studio (“a work in progress,” he says) and in his gallery in the popular Tomato Factory.

“The look forward is about further refining those skills I have acquired through this craft,” he reflects. “Part of the enjoyment is in the process. You find a rhythm, and then there is always the happy accident! It also involves additional relationships with interior designers and expanding access to my work through my online shop that I recently launched.

“The launch of my online store has been a long time coming. I’ve been receiving national and international inquiries over the years, and have been a bit behind regarding my online offering. However, I have recently recognized the value of expanding my reach, and just launched the online store containing a selection of my work. In fact, I’m fulfilling a nice online order from Salt Lake City, Utah, right now. I’ll be adding to the offering on my website over the next few months, so stay tuned!”

Sharing his work with others has always been and continues to be the key.

As he says, “Every individual should have access to art and culture in their daily lives. It should be accessible to all, and I continue to work to achieve that goal.”

John Shedd can be reached at jgshedd@verizon.net or by contacting Tomato Factory at (609) 466-9833. Visit his website at johnshedddesigns.net. Tomato Factory’s hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.