About Ephraim Pottery
Handmade Pottery Since 1996
Ephraim Throughout the Years
Our timeline of enduring tradition and a commitment to creativity
In the 1990s, with the rise of the cubicle and mass-produced goods, Kevin Hicks revered a time when people made objects by hand. Hicks, a skilled potter with a business degree, imagined a modern artisan guild where collaboration could thrive and handmade products showed the hand of the maker. While celebrating Ephraim Pottery’s 25th anniversary, we sat down with Hicks, who reflected on the studio’s past, present and future.
In response to the rise of mass production, Kevin Hicks established Ephraim Pottery in Deerfield, Wisconsin, envisioning a modern artisan guild focused on handcrafted quality. The studio quickly expanded, moving to a larger countryside location in 1997 and making its debut at prestigious shows including Grove Park Inn, Craftsman Farms, and the Pasadena Heritage Show
During these foundational years, the studio developed its characteristic style and built a strong following in Arts and Crafts Revival Pottery, while welcoming talented artists Laura Klein, John Raymond, and Ken Nekola. This period also saw the creation of their first bat vase design.
The early 2000s marked a period of significant growth for Ephraim Pottery, with demand creating nine-month wait times for pieces. The studio established its annual holiday party tradition and achieved a milestone with the Narcissus Bud Vase, their 500th limited edition piece. The Bird Series vases emerged as iconic designs during this era, as the studio continued to explore more adventurous original designs.
This period centered on establishing roots in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, including the 2008 renovation of the Old Municipal Building into their studio space. These years focused on enhancing production capabilities and refining their collaborative working model.
Geographic expansion defined this era, with new galleries opening in Cambria, California (2011) and Lake Mills (2012). The studio diversified its offerings by opening a woodshop for Arts and Crafts style frames in 2013, while also pioneering low relief designs and introducing new lighting options.
A period of significant innovation began with the celebration of Ephraim’s 20-year anniversary. The studio welcomed Alex Curtis as glazer and launched their Ready-to-Ship Holiday Pop-up shop in 2018. The following year brought Matthew Drees as sculptor/glazer and the launch of the Ephraim Elemental functional pottery line. 2020 saw multiple initiatives: relocating the Studio Gallery into the main space, introducing the POT of the Week program, starting a high school internship program, and implementing daily plant-based employee lunches.
Recent years have focused on documentation and team expansion. The Historical Archive Database launched in 2021, preserving the studio’s legacy. The team grew with Melinda Maupin joining as glazer in 2022 and Tanner Howe as potter in 2023. The Mug of the Month program, launched in 2023, continues the studio’s tradition of innovation and limited-edition offerings.
