Muddy Mountain Pottery was established in 1970 by Ron Libolt. His first pots were made with clay dug on Muddy Mountain outside Casper, WY, giving the business it's name. Ron operated a shop in Jackson Wy during the 1970's and later attended the University of Wyoming where he received a master's degree in Fine Art. In addition to his well-made functional pottery and large fountains he was known for his pots and sculptures using arms, legs and faces. His artwork often commented on the absurd and mystical aspects of human existence, exemplified by a jar lifting its own lid to reach inside. Ron died of cancer in August 1991.

Muddy Mountain Pottery is now run by one of Ron's daughters, Tana Libolt and her partner, West Magoon. They live and work in Centennial, Wyoming, pop. 100, where they are building a home and studio out of tires, a building design known as an Earthship.

West Magoon studied art at Northwest Community College and the University of Wyoming. He has worked as a graphic artist and photographer for more than 30 years, specializing in several antique photographic methods, including gum dichromate. His photographs have appeared in many regional shows and are in the permanent collections of several art museums.

West has been a potter and sculptor for seven years. He's been intrigued by looking at ancient pottery and finally understanding how connected the forms are to each pot's special function. These include pots that resist sloshing and balance in the hand and wine bowls and mugs that are specially shaped to contain the dregs. He applies these and other principles to all of his own pots. West's Raku Ray Guns come out of a life-long love of science fiction and are informed by intricate model making and ships in bottles he created as a child. The visual roots he draws on include sci-fi magazine covers from the 50's and the styling cues from 50's automobiles.

Tana Libolt, after an apprenticeship to a glass-blower in New York and a brief fling with a career as a street musician in Dublin, Ireland, returned to Laramie and the University of Wyoming to study art. She is interested in the idea of a pot as an object of art that gives a feeling of delight to an every-day activity. Her ideal as a potter is to create objects that express more than the sum of their materials and take on a magical life of their own. On the side, Tana performs with the Wyoming Gamelan Candra Wyoga, an orchestra of instruments from Bali, based in Laramie, Wy.

All Muddy Mountain Pottery pots are high-fired in a large gas kiln and the glazes are made in the studio, from the raw materials, using only non-toxic ingredients. The pots are made of sturdy stoneware and are designed to function well, be pleasant to use and to stand up to years of daily use. All Muddy Mountain Pottery, including the rope-handle mugs, are safe in the dishwasher and microwave.



Thanks for visiting Muddy Mountain Pottery! Please contact us with any questions you might have.

By email:
tanaandwest@muddymountainpottery.com

By standard mail:
Muddy Mountain Pottery
p.o. box 177
Centennial, WY 82055

By phone:
307-742-5756
tanaandwest@muddymountainpottery.com