Jan James

Jan James discovered her passion for pottery in 1978, beginning her training at Bunbury TAFE before immersing herself in workshops led by experienced potters from Perth and across the eastern states. Her dedication to the craft took her as far as the island of Bornholm in Denmark, where she had the privilege of a one-on-one workshop with renowned potter John Gibson, an experience that reflects the depth of commitment Jan has always brought to her art.

For many years, Jan was the heart behind the much-loved Port Pottery in Marlston Hill, Bunbury, where she created and sold her work and became a cherished part of the local arts community. Her work has been exhibited in galleries throughout Western Australia, earning her a well-deserved reputation as a skilled and creative ceramicist.

Today, Jan works from her home studio, hand-building expressive and imaginative forms with a particular specialisation in thrown and hand-built pieces destined for pit firing. She also shares her knowledge and love of the craft by offering one-on-one wheel throwing lessons, passing on decades of skill and passion to the next generation of potters.