I still remember the first time I drove by the big red Edgecomb Pottery "compound" and saw a For Sale sign. What? I did a double take. I remember thinking that business was a landmark on this peninsula. It just couldn't be. To lose such a heart of creativity would be a great loss to our community and beyond.

But then, on another pass by the location, I'm not sure exactly when, I spied metal work statuary outside one of the back buildings and the sign, "Artist Collective." Hmmm ... had a new group of artists collectively purchased it, to save it? Hey, it happens; remember the story behind our Opera House of the past 21 years? I had to find out. And I did: The business was not closing, it was the making of the pottery on site that was ending.

Anyway, I stopped by just before Memorial Day Weekend and it took me a while to go inside. The metalwork many have seen over the Edgecomb Pottery years was still there and as enchanting, charming as ever: The dancing elf, full-sized horse, fish, the elder human figure on horseback, the sitting donkey ... And the chairs! A leaf back chair with matching footrest, a cat chair with feline bodies as its back, a rooster chair ... My mind immediately began creating vignettes about each of them.

Edgecomb Pottery bowls, cups and more were outside as well, at discounted prices. But, oh that sculpture! If I could have bought that dancing elf ... well, it would be in my yard right now. But, enough fantasizing. It was time to step inside and find out what was afoot.

I was greeted by knowledgeable, friendly shop manager Arizona at the counter. Later, longtime employee Rachel Tibbetts joined us. Both had background information to share. After hearing what they had to say, I realized Richard Hilton, who co-founded Edgecomb Pottery with his wife, Chris, was a creative genius, really. 

In a ceramic nutshell: He began making pottery in the basement of his family's home in Melrose, Massachusetts and while in Maine in 1974 bought a red schoolhouse in the now famous location in Edgecomb. In 1976, he and his wife, Chris, also an artist, founded Edgecomb Pottery. In 1985, Richard built a kiln shed and the gallery. He created 100s, 100s of glazes including Kyoto Forest, Copper Red, Seaglass and Marina. By 1995, with 28 acres, there were eight kilns and more than 30 employees. Over 400 artisans from across the U.S. were represented there. By the mid-1990s, Edgecomb Pottery was the largest crafts gallery in the country. Wow. Just wow. 

I have to stop here to talk about the famous and fabulous whale tail mug. The outside of the mugs are available in five of his glazes with a different glaze inside each 18-ounce mug. I decided on the “Spring” glaze – a pastel green-blue mug with an intriguing pattern of flowers or shells ... not sure ... cascading down. Just beautiful – and I haven’t stopped using it. Another cool thing about this mug is its handle. The length of it is space enough for all of my fingers to fold around it, although it is a comfortable fit for three. The whale tail on the top of the mug makes for a perfect thumb rest. One more thing: As the body of the mug ever so slightly narrows, it creates a resting place for your other hand (if you're so inclined) for those two-handed drinkers.

Rachel shared the story behind the whale’s tail mug: One day when Richard was boating off the coast of Maine (in 1997), a whale came alongside, dove down and rose up again with its tail above the water ... And at that moment a new design was conceived. There's also an 11-ounce mug for single-hand drinkers.

Fast forwarding through time ... Richard and Chris' son Brad succeeded his parents as owner and operator of the business since Richard's death in 2011. Last year, as president, Brad renamed the business Maine Pottery Company. In a Youtube video I found, Brad explains how and why changes happened and what the future holds – and it’s all good. I've included the link with the online version of this column.

The day I was at the Artists Collective, there were 24 artists but more were expected. As Arizona noted, space is still available downstairs, but upstairs is wide open. Each has a “booth” to display their work – all for sale, of course, in all mediums: pottery – all sorts, paintings, woodcarving, metal, mosaic, collage, jewelry, home décor, clothing, the list goes on. The creatives currently in the Artists Collective are from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Visit the Artists Collective of Maine Pottery Co., 727 Boothbay Road/Route 27, in Edgecomb and see for yourself. Get a preview before leaving home at https://mainepottery.com/