Elemental Connections: Purposeful Pottery

An art nearly as ancient as humankind itself, the craft of ceramics celebrates the transformative power of nature. Perhaps only few artists know this better than Margie Coates, whose work gracefully reflects the many landscapes she has called home, and whose passion for wellbeing is shared in many philanthropic endeavors.

What excites Margie Coates about ceramics is that she starts with earth, and through fire, water, and air, creates something both functional and beautiful. The elements are connected through her pieces. She walks her journey with the mission to bring love and light to lift everyone up through connections. This is all the more reason to get centered on the pottery wheel. A dedicated teacher, Margie served special education students for her career of more than forty years. She has continued to instruct for local colleges and art centers. She has shared paths to increased wellness for almost twenty years.

Originally from Florida, her mother was an artist and opened this world to her. She lived in the Atlanta, Georgia area for over twenty years, surrounded by incredible artists to take workshops and learn from. A self-taught potter, she began teaching ceramics and exhibiting in Winder, Georgia in 1997. With art in her heart, she founded the Georgia Piedmont Arts Center, a non-profit community arts center. She exhibited in many galleries in Georgia.

She and her husband moved to Southwest Colorado in 2004, enjoying the cowboy way with their horses and dogs. In Colorado, she was an artist in many galleries and shops in Durango, and the surrounding area. Since 2010, she has been involved with Dancing Spirit Center for the Arts, a non-profit in Ignacio, Colorado where she was a founding artist, and taught pottery. She is still a Board Member at large and grant writer for them.

“A pot without soul is just some clay around a hole.”

In 2022, they moved across the country to Sugar Grove, Virginia, with their Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Margie loves gardening and outdoor sports, and to be back in the beauty and inspiration of the Appalachian Mountains. As a Rotarian, she loves being a part of solutions for the community. As a health and wellness consultant, she is excited to share ways to live vibrantly. Keeping her hands in clay, she has been happily teaching monthly pottery workshops at Laurel Creek Pottery in Wytheville. In her creations, Margie endeavors to find balance in form, and value in function and expression. Her inspiration comes from her love of nature. Joy comes from the Elemental Connections she’s able to make.

Coates is elated to call Southwest Virginia her new home, and to now house some of her most emblematic pieces for sale at Lola's at the Lincoln. Margie Coates is the newest addition to our ever-expanding catalog of contributing artists.