Gretchen Gobin is a contemporary potter and former painter who lives and works in Gaithersburg, MD. A native of Washington, DC, she is the first generation born in the United States of America. Her Latin roots are reflected in her functional pottery, the majority of which are glazed in Caribbean blues and greens. Her love of unifying functionality with beauty, exudes an atmosphere of the tropics and peaceful warm sands.

Trained as a painter at The Corcoran School of Art and Design, Gretchen utilizes her understanding of shape, color, and harmony to enhance “everyday pots.” “I want my pots to be used,” Gretchen states. “They can be placed on a shelf to be admired, but ultimately, I make pottery for everyday life. The more chipped, the better!”

This passion for creating ceramic wares evolved into a long career as an art educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. Her humor is endearing and sets the tone for learning to happen “in disguise”. She is also equally enthusiastic about the rich history of clay. As one of the oldest art forms utilizing the earth’s most primal element, Gretchen passionately shares with students the significant role pottery has played in the evolution of humankind. She encourages students to think about the techniques being used today, many of which have remained unchanged for thousands of years. Her love of this ubiquitous craft is contagious, and Gretchen looks forward to every teachable moment.

Gretchen has also exhibited and sold her work locally for years, including at The Arts Barn in Gaithersburg, The Locke Store in Winchester, and Eastern Market. She is currently teaching private ceramics classes at her studio to people of all ages, while making commissioned pottery. She reaches the masses through Instagram, where you can see her work and watch videos of her throwing.