Wedel Pottery

Thirty years of handcrafted functional ceramics define the output at Wedel Pottery, where Tim Wedel operates his Palisade Clay Studio. The studio sits directly above the Colorado River, surrounded by orchards and vineyards in a region known as the Vinelands. Every piece leaving the studio is made by hand, designed with durable glaze surfaces that mirror the warm hues of nearby red rock cliffs. Recent collections feature large-scale platters, jugs, and bowls characterized by thick shino-style glazes. These unique textures require high risk during firing, as extreme temperatures cause the glazes to randomly fracture and fuse. The natural clays used in this Palisade studio yield colors, patterns, and textures that capture the essence of Western Colorado and Utah. The area's history supports this craft; first inhabitants included Ute Indians, followed by white settlers arriving in 1881. By 1894, peach, pear, apple, and grape orchards appeared in what is now known as the Vinelands. Rich soil and scarce rainfall initially required water hauled by wagons from the river, but US Reclamation construction in 1913 established a system of irrigation canals. A 480-foot wide roller dam diverts water into 80 miles of canals, including the Highline Canal and Price and Stub Ditches. This local climate, often called "The Banana Belt," offers mild conditions ideal for growing peaches and grapes.