Jon Pettyjohn Pottery

Jon Petty john Pottery

This pottery factory is unique in Laguna,  Southern Luzon.  It’s creative designs and award winning potteries earned its distinction worldwide as being innovative and modern design . Jon Petty lives and works together with his wife (artist potter Tessy ).

He has spent many years in the Philippines experimenting with, learning about and sometimes teaching pottery.

short demonstration of pottery making

According to Mr. Petty , they have been working for over 35 years, concentrating on the traditional Asian techniques of high fire stoneware and porcelain, with the use of many Philippine indigenous raw materials, such as volcanic ash and local clays.

Jon is of Filipino -American descent. He has learned his craft in Barcelona, Spain, where he started out as an apprentice at a small studio. His work is almost “one of a kind” or extremely limited editions. Jon makes traditional functional pottery.

Mr. Petty john has had numerous one man shows and participated in trade fairs  like Manila International F.A.M.E , as well taking part in exhibits and workshops in Japan, Korea, Spain, Taiwan  and the United States. He is also the President and founding member of The Putik Association of Philippine Potters.

Each vase sold on FilArts.com is individually handmade and signed by Mr. Pettyjohn.

home gallery with hand-made vases

His two story house had an interesting gallery where his unique works of arts are displayed and sold.  Some of the items are his personal collection . Wide verandas and window characterized his home which is adapted to the tropical weather. High ceilings allows air circulation to come inside his home.

Some of the materials used in his pottery are imported from other countries. He explained that there are different types of clays found in the country. Some are ideal for ceramics  while some are used for their natural colors.

He gladly shown the tour group his own version of a kiln and a large dragon kiln which is used for firing his clay.

workshop with kiln for firing clay

A short demonstration followed and he accommodated the tour group.

Petty johns expressed that they are not able to receive walk-in visitors at their home . Appointments must be made prior hand  , However in the case of our group , a special arrangement was made !  Thus, navigational data is not provided for this way-point. He is very wary of designers who copy his designs and then mass produced them at a lower price . Most of his unique one of a kind potteries and other wares are available at Level 3 , Glorietta IV , Makati City.

Their workshop had in interesting garden with a lot of native orchids, begonias, ferns , ginger plants and large trees.