FCAC Pottery Guild is a diverse group of individuals with a passion for working with clay, supporting
activities and development of opportunities at First City and strengthening the Pensacola art
community. The Guild is comprised of First City members who have taught, taken classes or participated
in FCAC special events. The Guild has a blend of wheel potters, hand builders and clay sculptors with
many members in 2 or three clay disciplines. Members range from first time students to talented
instructors to veteran artists with works in local galleries, public spaces and published works. All of these
individuals share a generosity of talent and experience to make FCAC Pottery Guild an organization
rooted in education and outreach.
The Guild has produced hundreds of bowls annually to partner with Pensacola State in supporting the
Pick-a-Bowl, Fill-a-Bowl event to benefit Manna. Recently in response to increased demand for Manna’s
services and limited public events, bowls were created for Hunger Stops Here. Manna partnered with
several generous local businesses to offer bowls to the public. Manna has scheduled Pick-a-Bowl for
March 4, 2022 at the Lou Ross Center at PSC. FCAC Guild members have already been working towards
their goal of 300+ unique bowls to contribute.
Pumpkin Patch is FCAC’s signature annual fundraiser supported by both clay and glass FCAC artists. Guild
clay artists throw and hand build thousands of pumpkins and fall themed Guild and signature artist
items. In October 2021 FCAC presented Pumpkin Patch for the second time at Blue Wahoo stadium with
perfect weather and record breaking sales. Funds raised support not only operating the not for profit
center, but also allow it to conduct educational outreach throughout the community.
The Ceramic Mentorship program invites students from Santa Rosa and Escambia counties to apply for
scholarships to the annual program. Beginning in 2020, FCAC Pottery Guild assumed responsibility for
funding Ceramic Mentorship. Fees from mini workshops, donations of work to be sold and personal
member contributions combine to support this program.
The past months have underscored the role art, its appreciation, and for Guild members especially, its
creation plays in the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Pensacola has a
wealth of art. Guild looks for opportunities to bring clay art to communities without access to hands-on
experiences through having a presence at festivals, markets, Foo Foo events, church and school
functions and other appropriate venues. When Guild artists exhibit at events like Greater Gulf Coast in
Seville Square or Mattie Kelly in Destin, beyond selling there are invitations to visit FCAC, explanation of
programs for clay and other disciplines and when possible demonstrations, including putting clay in
people’s hands.
As the December Featured Artist, Guild members will have live wheel, hand building and wheel
demonstrations. December GNP attendees can decorate a piece to be fired for them at First City.