THE MAKER

“Anthony firmly believes that ‘makers must make’ and for him making ceramics is a way of being in the world, a calling, a vocation.”

Award-winning potter Anthony Shapiro began making ceramics when he was 13 years old.

Today, Anthony is recognised as one of the leading ceramicists in South Africa. Over his career that spans 3 decades, he has become well known as a prolific creator and maker, retailer and gallerist, curator as well as teacher, He has contributed to developing and deepening the public’s interest in ceramics as an art form.

Anthony’s ceramics are mainly hand thrown, but he also loves hand building large coiled vessels. His ceramic bowls are found in galleries, shops and homes throughout South Africa and abroad and are recognised by their simple, iconic form and exquisite colours and glazes.

Anthony firmly believes that ‘makers must make‘ and for him making ceramics is a way of being in the world, a calling, a vocation.

He has supplied countless exclusive retail boutiques, both locally and abroad, which include ABC Carpet and Home in New York City and The Conran Stores worldwide.

THE TEACHER

“Anthony’s love affair with teaching was immediate! He loved the sacred space it creates and the community it forms.”

Anthony served an apprenticeship with the pottery doyenne Kim Sacks from 1988-1990. He learnt hand-building with Charmaine Renzon who taught him everything he knows about building large pots

Kim was travelling frequently during this time and Anthony began taking Kim’s pottery classes whilst she travelled. Anthony’s love affair with teaching was immediate! He loved the sacred space it creates, the community it forms. He and the way he could guide and teach people to make beautiful vessels.

Anthony saw an advert for a pottery teacher at Ernest Ullman Recreation Centre in Morningside, Johannesburg. He applied for the position and took over the studio where he created a buzzing hive of creativity, teaching approximately 80 people over 6 classes a week.

During Anthony’s prolific production years, he always kept his hand in teaching. His staff knew that on a Tuesday morning and Thursday evening, he was not available.

Anthony specializes in teaching hand building and wheel throwing techniques. and welcomes all students, beginners, intermediate and advanced.

His well-equipped studio is conveniently situated in the trendy and artistic precinct in Harrington Street in the Cape Town City Bowl, where there are loads of parking lots during the day and free street parking in the evening and many interesting little coffee shops and restaurants.