Rheum After 5: Polly Ferguson, MD, Is Perfecting Her Pottery Skills

The first plate made by Dr. Ferguson that didn’t crack.

Despite her vast array of experiences and accomplishments, Dr. Ferguson found room in her days to enhance her personal life. “About five years ago, I met a potter who told me that it took 10 years to become proficient at pottery,” Dr. Ferguson says. “So I started thinking about how I’m running out of 10-year increments and better get going. Because my children are grown and out of the house, I wanted to start doing the things I had put off while raising them.”

Exposed to the arts early by her mother, who has taught ceramics at her home for the past 50 years, Dr. Ferguson grew interested in learning how to throw pots using a potter’s wheel.

“Pottery is a natural extension of ceramics,” Dr. Ferguson says, adding that she creates pottery at the center because it’s a very messy art form and requires extensive and expensive equipment. “I wanted to learn how to conquer that big blob of clay, making it into something symmetrical and beautiful. The center’s artists collaborate with me and help me troubleshoot. I’ve made more progress working with them than if I worked in isolation at my house.”

The brown color in this vase reflects ash from burning wood.

The Exploding Vase
But even surrounded by a talented group of potters, sculptors and other types of artists, things can still go wrong.

Dr. Ferguson recalls the time one of her large vases exploded in a kiln. She says someone accidentally changed the kiln’s setting, which caused the explosion.

“It was the biggest thing I had ever made, and it exploded,” Dr. Ferguson says, adding that she tried to calm her horrified teacher by presenting her with a doctor’s perspective. “I told her that no one was hurt, sick or had died. And I had fun making it, learned how to handle a huge item and about color combinations for different glazes. So my exploding pot turned out to be a very positive thing.”

Planning for Retirement
After three years, Dr. Ferguson still considers herself a beginner and hopes to advance her pottery skills during retirement. “It will keep my mind busy,” she says, noting that she will enjoy learning more techniques, such as different ways to fire clay and how to decorate it with glazes.

Some of her friends admire her art and occasionally ask to purchase a piece or two. Dr. Ferguson gives them the items instead, believing her pieces are not yet good enough to sell.