David Nelson shows off some of the art pottery for sale in his new courtyard. He is planning an open house for Saturday, Oct. 17.

submitted by Phil Cecconie

David Nelson of David Nelson Pottery is announcing the opening of his new outdoor studio/gallery on Saturday, Oct. 17, located at 319 Morgan St. in Manchester.

What was once just an unsightly asphalt parking space in the front corner of the building, has been transformed into a small courtyard adjacent to Nelson’s indoor studio. Taking him just a few weeks from start to finish, it has added a unique and attractive ambience to the property which was once used as a slaughterhouse and meat storage facility. And it has created a functional spot to sell his artwork and invite new customers to browse, despite the hardships caused by COVID-19.

David got the pottery bug while attending high school in Jackson in the early 1970s, followed by Jackson Community College and then graduating from Eastern Michigan.

His early career found him in Milan, along with two partners, later moving his studio to Ann Arbor’s old Performance Center (now the location of the YMCA). Before coming to Manchester, he also had studios in Dexter and Concord. He purchased, through  auction, the property on Morgan St in 1996. The building was once owned by the Hamilton family and was a working slaughterhouse and meat storage facility. Later, the Chrysler Corporation purchased the property for their cold-weather testing, known as the “Polar Zone.”

Nelson describes his pottery as functional porcelain, using both “wheel build” and “slab build.” The clay is purchased in 25-lb blocks from a supplier in Dexter. Look for tableware, serving pieces, and tea pots–among other products–all of which are lead-free and dishwasher-safe.

David’s community involvement includes making various mugs that will be used to support Manchester’s own Acorn Farmers’ Market.

Nelson said the coronavirus outbreak virtually shut his indoor studio down in May. This new outdoor studio will incorporate Michigan’s health and safety protocols.

Stop by David Nelson Pottery, browse his new studio, and get an early start to your holiday shopping.

David W. Nelson’s pottery, seen at rear of the new courtyard, is created by both wheel build and slab build techniques.