Crafted by Hand and Heart
Cindy Key honors her family and her heritage as she shapes the next generation of artists through June Bug Pottery.
Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Ryan McGill
In downtown Jasper, approximately 300 miles from the red clay banks of her childhood home, Cindy Key shapes more than just housewares at her business, June Bug Pottery. Cindy's transformation of raw material into art mirrors her own evolution from a dedicated nurse to a passionate educator and potter. She is deeply influenced by the landscapes of her youth and the love of her close-knit family.
Raised in rural Georgia's vast, vibrant expanses, Cindy and her sisters Jean, June, and Sandra discovered their creative voices in the most natural of studios: the great outdoors. Their collective artistic journey began in their childhood-one filled with the freedom and joy of rural life. "We were literally barefooted farm girls playing in the red Georgia clay on the creek bank," Cindy reminisces with a warmth that time has not diminished. This early immersion in creativity, nurtured by their mother's encouragement, laid the groundwork for a lifelong passion for art.
Cindy's professional path led her to nursing. Inspired by her older sister's example and driven by a heartfelt desire to care for others, she poured her heart and soul into caring for patients in their time of need for four decades. But when it came time to hang up her scrubs, Cindy knew her own two hands would shape the next part of her journey.
"I've always enjoyed teaching and knew that when I retired from nursing, I wanted to be able to teach in some way and also share my love of art," Cindy shares. "My husband promised me that when I retired, I could have a studio outside of the home, and there was a need in Walker County for a pottery studio offering classes, so I decided to meet that need."
June Bug Pottery opened in August 2022, roughly fifteen years after Cindy's first proper foray into pottery. "My sister, Sandra, invited me to join her for a pottery class where she lived in Atlanta," says Cindy. "The first time I touched the clay as an adult and realized anything I wanted to make was possible, I just fell in love with it."
The combination studio/shop is quaint and peaceful. Stop by any time during the day, and you'll likely find Cindy at the wheel, hands covered in wet clay, shaping her new creations. Those creations - mugs, platters, vases, and more - line the shop's shelves, each bearing their unique styles and markings, awaiting their new homes. Watching carefully over all of Cindy's creations is a framed photo of her sister, June, the business's namesake.
June's creative spirit and untimely departure from this life in 2008 left an indelible mark on Cindy's heart. Naming her studio after June was more than a memorial; it was a promise to continue the legacy of creativity, laughter, and love that defined their relationship.
"June was a very sweet, creative person. She's such an inspiration. The things we got into together were ridiculous!" Cindy shares, her voice tinged with emotion. "To continue to create is the best way I can honor her. This is all for my June."
Transitioning from the fast-paced world of nursing to the contemplative realm of pottery, Cindy found her calling not just in creation but in imparting her knowledge to others. Teaching pottery became a way to meld her love for others with her passion for art. Her classes, a mix of hand-building and wheel techniques, are more than just pottery lessons; they are journeys of self-discovery and expression.
Her teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that pottery is a journey of discovery, where every mistake is a lesson learned. Cindy's students, from beginners to more advanced potters, find joy and inspiration under her guidance to embrace every moment, every mistake, and every triumph with open arms.
"In my wheel classes, I tell students to 'Do it 'til they wreck it because then they learn what the clay is capable of handling," she says. "I also get so much joy from seeing the light in their eyes when they feel clay centered on the wheel for the first time, and they kind of gasp a little bit; that's special."
Though her classes are full, and there are even fuller waiting lists to be the one who learns the most or those eager to learn the ways of the potter; Cindy still finds herself to be the one who learns the most.
"I still learn every day. I try to go other places and take other classes to be a better teacher, but I also learn a lot from the art my students create," she says. "I love to feel the marks of their hands on their finished products. Every mark is personal and shows that someone's real hands and creativity were involved in the birth of that piece, and that means a lot to me and creates value for me.
"Nothing in pottery can be exactly the same because it is such a personal art. Two potters can look at the same piece and not see the same thing, but they both feel intrigued and invited to pick it up. To make something that someone wants to pick up is so gratifying. Taking the next step of carving, painting, glazing, etcetera makes it all the more special, and I love passing that on to others."
As she looks ahead, Cindy's aspirations are simple yet profound: to expand her classes, continue honoring her sister, and share the transformative power of pottery with all who enter her studio.
Cindy Key's life is as rich and textured as the clay she shapes. At June Bug Pottery she offers a piece of her heart and a continuing legacy of creativity and love. 78