A special aspect of Glen Echo Pottery is the strong sense of community among new, continuing and past students.  We
  • Clean up after ourselves
  • Share what we know
  • Take pleasure in the progress and artistic achievements of fellow students
  • Form groups to rent and fire our own atmospheric kiln
  • Contribute to the many volunteer activities and raise funds to permit the pottery to maintain high standards as well as low tuition.

Glen Echo Pottery faculty and students are also active in the wider ceramics community, including
  • Local ceramics associations and guilds such as Montgomery Potters, Lee Arts Center, Baltimore Clayworks, Monocacy Pottery, the Washington DC Kiln Club, and the Smithsonian.
  • The National Council on Education for the Ceramics Arts (NCECA) and attend its annual conferences.
  • Attending workshops and maintaining on-going relations with premier art and crafts schools in the country such as Penland School of Craft, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. 

Volunteers at Glen Echo Pottery 
  • Mix the glazes we use for reduction and soda firing
  • Load the electric kilns to bisque fire pieces so that they are ready for glazing
  • Help load the reduction kilns
  • Maintain the gardens adjacent to the kiln yard
  • Assist in teaching the introductory classes
  • Participate in activities of the Kathy Darby Community Outreach Fund
  • Raise money for the pottery by participating in special sales such as the Seconds Sale, Pots-by-the-Pound, and more
  • Serve on the Board of Directors and committees
 Community Outreach



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Kathy Darby Community Outreach Fund (The Darby Fund) 

The Darby Fund was established by Glen Echo Pottery in February 2016 as a living memorial to long-time instructor, volunteer, and Board member, Kathy Darby. The Darby Fund pursues two of Kathy's great passions - her love of pottery and her desire to introduce people of all ages with limited access to the arts, to the world of pottery.

The Darby Fund provides free opportunities to explore pottery for low-income youth from elementary through high schools, both in schools and community facilities, and in Glen Echo Park. While there is a spcial emphasis on youth, our community programming also includes opportunities for adults and families of all ages to explore working with clay.

The Darby Fund is entirely run by Glen Echo Pottery volunteers, who plan and administer the program and work directly with the children or adults to create and decorate their work.  In addition to the community program, we provide scholarships that include transportation costs to teens who show talent and enthusiasm for pottery but may not be able to afford tuition. ​

Our current community partners include: 
  • Glen Haven Elementary School, a Title 1 school in Silver Spring, MD 
  • LIfe Pieces to Masterpieces, an afterschool program that engages youth in Washington, DC's Ward 7 and 8   in arts, education, and character development.​

The Darby Fund is supported by donations from the Pottery's community of students and the general public. To learn more about the program or become a donor, please contact Marget Maurer. 
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