BOB'S BIOGRAPHY
Bob Meier, owner and operator of Doe Ridge Pottery in Boone, NC began his career almost by accident. A transplant originally from Philadelphia, PA, Bob moved to Boone after his military service in 1973 to complete his education at Appalachian State University. He began is education in Technical Education, with concentrations in graphic arts, drafting and technical illustration, and crafts. “My first semester, I took a class in pottery/ceramics mostly to fill a spot in my schedule. It was love at first sight.”
While finishing his Bachelor and Masters degrees at A.S.U., Bob continued to extend his interest in clay by taking all the course work offered at A.S.U. including a course with Ron Probst. He also attended several local workshops, including one in business practices for craftspeople with Herb Cohen and Jose´ Fumero. During this period, he worked for two and a half years with potter Lucy Hamilton located in Newland, NC.
Bob was one of the original founding members of Hands Crafts Gallery in Boone, helping establish this as the regions first cooperative gallery in 1975. He remained a member for 25 years including a period of 4 years when he acted as president of the Board of Directors. After working in a home studio from 1978 to 1988 Bob established his own studio/gallery on King Street in Boone in 1988. Since then he has maintained a gallery on King Street to this day.
Bob's other memberships include Blue Ridge Hearthside Crafts in 1978, and a member of the Southern Highlands Craft Guild in 1983. He is also a member of Piedmont Craft Guild, the North Carolina Pottery Center, Blowing Rock Historical Society and the newly organized Potters of the Blue Ridge.
Bob’s work has been on exhibit at the Folk Art Center in Asheville and the Moses Cone Manor in Blowing Rock. He is represented by a number of fine North Carolina galleries, North Carolina Crafts Gallery in Carrboro, Appalachian Craft Gallery in Asheville, North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh, Seagrove Pottery of Pinehurst in Aberdeen and Seagrove Pottery Gallery in their two locations Cary and Seagrove. He also maintains numerous Wholesale Accounts and is sought after for custom work from individuals and designers.
