Silver Dollar City – Master Potter Jeff Walker – Branson, MO

Juried Best of Missouri Hands artist Jeff Walker is as much of a character of Silver Dollar City as he is an artists.  As the official Master Potter for Silver Dollar City, Jeff has perfected his skills as a potter and still continues to stretch himself, exploring new techniques  and mediums.  Be sure to visit Jeff at the Hillcreek Pottery shop while spending time at the park.

Jeff had been a friend to Silver Dollar City for over 14 years, as one of the park’s visiting craftsmen during the National Harvest Festival, before joining Hillcreek Pottery in December 2010.

A Craftsman In The Making

Jeff came to Silver Dollar City from Kansas City, Missouri, where he operated his own pottery studio. He opened the studio only five years after graduating from college and began traveling to show his work at 30 art shows a year, including Silver Dollar City’s National Harvest Festival. Admirers from all over came to enjoy his unique line of pots. Jeff has been a member of Best of Missouri Hands, juried artists for over18 years, and sits on their Board of Directors.

The Silver Dollar City Years

As visitors walk through Hillcreek Pottery, Jeff’s influence is evident. The bright red color on some of the pots is his signature glaze. Glazing is a specialized skill that includes mixing clay with natural compounds, making each glaze different, like a recipe.

“Red is one of the most difficult glaze colors to make in pottery,” Jeff says. “Making sure the recipe is just right and blends with the clay the way you want it to takes time to achieve. The secret is in the firing of the pot.”

That is all Jeff will reveal about his secret recipe for red glaze. A newly created pie plate at Silver Dollar City includes this beautiful color, shining in the production room.

“Working at Silver Dollar City is an unbelievable atmosphere,” Jeff says. “With such talented craftsmen there are so many different opinions and skills. Anytime I ask a question, I’m offered valuable input from a variety of mediums. It’s a great learning environment.”

Jeff is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with fellow established craftsmen and develop his skills in a positive, inspirational environment.

Interesting Extras

Jeff’s style tends to be more functional. He enjoys making pots customers can use in their daily lives rather than just as decoration. Jeff said he may spend months thinking of a design, but once he has the idea in his mind, it comes to life on the wheel.