Theo Helmstadter
Owner
Green River Pottery
Sante Fe, NM USA
“It’s not something people tell you when you’re in high school: You’re going to come up with a plan, but then you’re probably going to have to come up with another plan after that!”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationTheo Helmstadter
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
I was born and raised in Ithaca, New York.
I gravitated toward the creative arts and making things from a young age—I began learning how to make pottery when I was 13 years old.
At the time, I didn’t see a future for myself in pottery or the creative arts, so I pursued something that I thought was the “right path” instead.
Attended Oberlin College, where I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in English and music.
Moved to Sante Fe, New Mexico, where I worked as an English teacher for several years.
I knew deep down that being a teacher wasn’t something I was meant to be doing, so I found myself rediscovering my love of pottery.
In 1998, I opened my ceramics studio Green River Pottery in Sante Fe, New Mexico, where I specialize in making reduction-fired stoneware and teaching pottery classes.
Keep following my journey
Education
Career
Owner
I make reduction-fired stoneware and teach pottery classes.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Art
Design
Teaching / Mentoring
Day to Day
I make reduction-fired stoneware—mostly large functional forms. I love the artisanal challenge of making a really good ceramic piece—one that gets reached for and used. I also love the earthy, ancient, feel of stoneware clay as a raw material. My work is a collaboration with the earth. Together we strive for beauty.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Take the leap! If you want to change or do something different, then you can't overthink it. Just do it.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Myself:
"I don't want to help people and I just want to hide in my own little world."
Challenges I Overcame
Career Change
Interviewed By
Rerouting
Changing careers and reinventing your path
