From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Don Potter
Don Potter
Baden-Powell by Potter in 1960 is now located in front of
Baden-Powell House in London.[4]
As well as wood carving, Potter started to work in
stone as well and met Jacob Epstein (who had studied
with Auguste Rodin in Paris). In 1931, he approached
Eric Gill and asked to study under him. Gill was an en-
graver, designer of typefaces and sculptor, with carvings
in Westminster Cathedral. Initially, Potter was on a six-
month trial, but he remained as Gill’s pupil for six years.
In addition to being a sculptor, Potter spent his later
career as a teacher at Bryanston School in Dorset
(1940–1984), responsible for both sculpture and pot-
tery.[5] During World War II, Sir Terence Conran was in-
spired by him as one of his pupils. Potter continued to
undertake commissions during his time as a teacher, in-
cluding some for the School. For instance, examples of
stone carvings undertaken by him in 1991 can be seen at
a local church in the village of Durweston.
The porch of Our Lady of Grace & St Teresa of Avila
RC Church in Chingford has oak panels depicting animals
and fish that Potter carved in 1956.[6][7]
Personal life
Sculpture of Robert Baden-Powell by Don Potter, 1960. Potter married in 1945. He and his wife Mary had two
children, Anne (born 1947) and Julian (born 1952).
Donald Steele Potter (21 April 1902 – 7 June 2004), was an
English sculptor, wood carver, potter and teacher.[1][2][3] References
[1] Light, Vivienne (2002). Don Potter: an inspiring
Early life century (Limited edition (#847 of 1000) ed.). Brook,
Don Potter was born in Newington, near Sittingbourne, New Forest, Hampshire: Canterton Books. p. 218p.
Kent, the son of a school teacher, and attended a private ISBN 0-9541627-1-4.
school. He joined the Wolf Cubs at the age of eight and [2] Davies, Peter (8 June 2004). Obituary "Obituary:
became a keen participant in the scouting movement. Don Potter". The Independent (London).
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/
mi_qn4158/is_20040608/ai_n12784977/pg_1
Career Obituary. Retrieved 2006-08-30.
Potter developed as a wood carver, producing totem [3] MacCarthy, Fiona (8 June 2004). Obituary
poles, gates and gateways. By the time Potter reached the "Obituary: Donald Potter". The Guardian (London).
age of twenty, the head of the Scouts, Baden-Powell him- http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/
self, realized he was an expert craftsman. Potter camped mi_qn4158/is_20040608/ai_n12784977/pg_1
at Baden-Powell’s house at Pax Hill near Bentley, Hamp- Obituary. Retrieved 2009-08-25.
shire and undertook carving commissions for him. He [4] Wood, Edward (April 1971). The story of B.-P.’s House.
used very old local fallen oaks, said to be 1,200 years The Scout Association.
old. For the 1929 World Jamboree, Potter designed totem [5] Holdsworth, Angela, ed (2005). Bryanston reflections.
poles for the British Dominions of Australia, Canada, In- Third Millennium Publishing. pp. 35, 58, 104,
dia, South Africa and New Zealand. A granite statue of 109–111, 114, 147, 184, 199. ISBN 1 903942 38 1.
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Don Potter
[6] Rigal, Lawrence. "Exploring East London". • Durweston Church, Dorset information, including
http://exploringeastlondon.co.uk/eel/Chingford/ stone carvings by Don Potter (1991)
Chingford.htm. Retrieved 2011-05-31. Persondata
[7] "Listed buildings". London Borough of Waltham
Name Potter, Donald Steele
Forest. http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/index/
environment/planning/urban-conservation/local- Alternative Potter, Don
heritage-and-history/listed_buildings/listed- names
buildings51-107.htm. Retrieved 2011-05-31. Short descrip- Sculptor, potter, and teacher
tion
External links Date of birth 21 April 1902
• Badgerwood Place of birth Newington, Swale, Kent, United
• Saint Matthews Kingdom
• Studio Pottery Date of death 7 June 2004
• Scouting Personalities biography Place of death
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Don_Potter&oldid=467890204"
Categories:
• 1902 births
• 2004 deaths
• English potters
• English woodcarvers
• English centenarians
• English schoolteachers
• English sculptors
• People from Newington, Swale
• People associated with Scouting
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