Josh Copus has developed a personally significant approach to making pottery. He embraces the values and importance of using local materials through his studies of folk potteries throughout the world, focusing on the traditions of Korea, Japan, England and North Carolina.

"My work with ceramics begins with the clay. By using materials dug from the river bottoms and mountainsides of Western North Carolina, my work gains a connection to place and establishes the materials as a valuable source of influence. I dig my own clay from a tobacco field alongside Turkey Creek and everything I make contains an element of my response to that experience." - Josh Copus

“Most importantly, I find a great amount of excitement in digging my own clay and my hope is that the enthusiasm I have for my materials is transferred to the finished product. There is no real beauty without character and like the clay that I use to make them; my pots are reflections of my character. As a human being, I am accepting of impression and each pot I make represents my personality, experiences and my dreams.” — Josh Copus

Copus received his BFA degree from the University of North Carolina, Asheville. Josh currently works from his studio in North Carolina.