We had the good fortune of connecting with Matt Brophy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matt, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I think my pieces are unique and unusual compared to other ceramic arts. I found that most potters glazed their pieces.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Looking into the pottery business I noticed that many artists were skipping an important step, the glazing process. To most potters glazing is an after thought done in a few minutes and it is more about the vessel than the completed piece. So I decided to be different and focus on glazing and the relationship between glazes and how they work together on different clay bodies. I’m self taught and my success comes from my many experiments to achieve different outcomes. It has been a slow process, but now I am beginning to gain recognition from winning awards at several local and regional juried art shows and have successful representation in local galleries.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Restaurants: Sullivan in Anderson
Juniper Rooftop
White Duck Taco at Hampton Station
Top Soil Restaurant in Travelers Rest

Places to Stay:
The Blekley in Anderson
AC Hotel Greenville

To do:
Anderson Art Center
Lake Hartwell/parks and recreational areas
Gallery 1 on Main st Greenville
Open Arts Studio Main st Greenville
Farmers Market/Downtown Greenville Saturday
Hike or bike on Swamp Rabbit Trails
Falls River Park
Growing Greens Family Farm in Greenville and Anderson
Split Creek Farm, Artisanal goat cheese in Anderson
Hike Lake Jocassee and Jocassee Gorges
Caesar’s Head Park and visit Pretty Place

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are 3 main characters in my story of how I got here. First there was my original art teacher, Vernon Brown at Brian McMahon High School who initially inspired me and taught me to throw. Next there is Kate Krause, a local ceramic artist who taught me how to fire raku. This inspired me to get back into pottery and view it as more of a business than a hobby and lastly there’s Betsy Chapman who opened the pottery room at the Belton Center for the arts to me and encouraged me to use it and develop my craft. Without any of these people I would not be here.

Most especially, my family members for supporting me in this endeavor.

Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/Matthew.Brophy.39

Image Credits
Self

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