Words from Anthony Urango

I started pottery by chance; I needed an elective in school, and my counselor asked: home economics or ceramics? I said, What’s ceramics? I went into the class, my teacher/ father figure Frank Polito said, "Let me show you what you are going to do for the rest of the year."

That was it; I was obsessed. I asked Frank what I could do to do more clay. He said you can become my teacher aid; I did. I mixed clay, loaded and unloaded kilns, mixed glazes, and mopped the floors. I volunteered for him for 4 years after high school. I earned a Bachelor of Arts at UNLV. I had a great foundation, and by chance again, I moved to Maui in 2013–2016. I worked as a production potter making Raku.

It's always been fire, smoke, and mystery. While learning and making, I explore ways to make pieces, questioning texture, form, and my own internal design. l've alway taught my process, I help other potters ask themselves what they want to make. I help with their process and ideas. When I came back to Las Vegas I started with a idea to open a studio. Animal House Pottery was coined by Frank Polito, who felt it was playful and encouraged to attack the clay like a animal. The clay will become what ever you imagine to make it, mind over clay.