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Featured Potter
Marcus Sanders, Catawba Indian Master Potter
One of the potters featured on Southernpots.com is that of Catawba Indian Master Potter Marcus Sanders (born 1960) of Rock Hill, SC. He grew up around his grandmother Arzada Sanders, the famous Catawba Master Potter. From his earliest memories at age 4-5 years old, he recalls going to her house during summers with his siblings Lucinda and Pat and playing in the clay. Their job was to work her clay by hand to remove the rocks and roots. When he was older Arzada would instead sift it, but those first years gave him hardened and strong hands. Arzada would have them create bowls and small animals and then grade them for their skill level. The clay would then be balled back up for her own production purposes. Hence there are no ‘early’ pieces by Marcus, except in spirit (and part of Arzada’s pots).
His father never worked in clay, but Aza’s daughters Catherine (Canty), Vivian, Roberta, and Mahovie (Bryson) all made pots with their mother. Of particular note historically is the work of Catherine Canty. At age 12 Marcus’ grandfather passed away and Aza moved in with her daughter Mojave. At this point she greatly decreased her production and Marcus became interested in other things that teenage boys find amusing. But the history and continued legacy of the Catawba pottery was forever imprinted on Marcus. His younger brother Brian was too young to learn the mastery from his grandmother, but learned, along with his wife Cheryl, from other Catawba master potters later in life. Both Brian and Cheryl also became accomplished Catawba potters.
Marcus was later educated as an engineer and worked in that field most of his adult life. He was married and had a son. He began back in the clay in the early to mid-1990’s. On and off over the past 15 years he has continued to create all the traditional forms of Catawba pottery. His swans, turtles, and snake bowls are of particular note. Through carefully burnishing (rubbing) the pot over many hours, he creates a distinct shine to the pots which is in reality an unglazed finish, although distinctly appearing like finished wood. The finish is mostly orange from the Catawba River clay he utilizes which also can appear black based upon how he burns the pot in the open-pit fire. Marcus marks all his pots with his 'Two Feathers' design which is based upon his Catawba name and inscribed on the side of the duck.
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