Kelly R. Allen
Professor of Literature
Northampton Community College
I met Jeff at work in 2008. He taught pottery, obviously, and I taught writing. He had just finished with a beginning pottery class and while I did not know who he was, I figured he was in charge - he had the look of a potter. I explained that I had been making pots for several years and was hoping to find and engage with the local ceramics community. I don’t know what I was expecting, but he spent over an hour talking with me about pots. During our conversation, he struck me as a private person, so I chose to respect his space. Anytime we ran into each other we would talk, but beyond that neither of us actively sought the other’s company, which I now regret.
When Jeff and I had the time to talk, it was always about pots and he was always curious to know what I was working on. Rarely did he talk about himself or his work. By the way he spoke, I knew that he far exceeded me in talent; I am, after all, an eternal amateur potter and I’m fine with that. However, not once did Jeff share that he was a professional potter, or that his craft went much further than the college walls. But then again, I never asked. It took six years before I learned, by accident, that he had his own gallery. On a table in the studio where he taught I found a postcard with a photo of a beautiful vase and Jeff’s name across the bottom. It was an invitation to his holiday show.
When I walked into Jeff’s gallery, I felt like I was meeting him for the first time. I realized that I had never seen the breadth of his work. It was beautiful and I was overwhelmed by the boldness and fineness of his pieces. The short amount of time I got to spend with Jeff, I realize now, was a gift. This highly talented artist took the time to work with me on my simple little pots and I am now better for that. I did not get to know him as well as I should have, but the little bits I did get, I am grateful for. He will be missed.
Kelly R. Allen
December 8, 2020
Professor of Literature
Northampton Community College
I met Jeff at work in 2008. He taught pottery, obviously, and I taught writing. He had just finished with a beginning pottery class and while I did not know who he was, I figured he was in charge - he had the look of a potter. I explained that I had been making pots for several years and was hoping to find and engage with the local ceramics community. I don’t know what I was expecting, but he spent over an hour talking with me about pots. During our conversation, he struck me as a private person, so I chose to respect his space. Anytime we ran into each other we would talk, but beyond that neither of us actively sought the other’s company, which I now regret.
When Jeff and I had the time to talk, it was always about pots and he was always curious to know what I was working on. Rarely did he talk about himself or his work. By the way he spoke, I knew that he far exceeded me in talent; I am, after all, an eternal amateur potter and I’m fine with that. However, not once did Jeff share that he was a professional potter, or that his craft went much further than the college walls. But then again, I never asked. It took six years before I learned, by accident, that he had his own gallery. On a table in the studio where he taught I found a postcard with a photo of a beautiful vase and Jeff’s name across the bottom. It was an invitation to his holiday show.
When I walked into Jeff’s gallery, I felt like I was meeting him for the first time. I realized that I had never seen the breadth of his work. It was beautiful and I was overwhelmed by the boldness and fineness of his pieces. The short amount of time I got to spend with Jeff, I realize now, was a gift. This highly talented artist took the time to work with me on my simple little pots and I am now better for that. I did not get to know him as well as I should have, but the little bits I did get, I am grateful for. He will be missed.
Kelly R. Allen
December 8, 2020