Southern Pottery & Art Studio has worked to create a space for people to express themselves through pottery, painting, and more. 

Jill Carter, the owner, bought Free Spirit, a local pottery shop, in 2019 before making it her own. The store opened in February 2020, but right when COVID-19 hit Statesboro, Carter found comfort in the community.

“All of the businesses in Downtown Statesboro worked together to support each other, which was really nice,” Carter said. “A lot of local businesses were forced to close down, but I’m very lucky we were able to stay open.”

Pottery is a form of art that requires a lot of skill. Carter worked for Free Spirit for just over a year, doing custom work and helping out when needed, but her love for art started before then. 

“Growing up, I always wanted to be an art teacher, but unfortunately things didn’t work out for me,” she said. “I enjoyed this kind of stuff, and as time went on I started to get more into it.”

Over the years, Downtown Statesboro has flourished with new businesses, restaurants, shops, and more. The biggest struggle as a business owner is making sure people know you’re there.

“Social media is the best way to get the word out,” Carter said. “We have also done a lot of work with sororities, fraternities, and other events within the community. Doing those things, along with word of mouth, helps people learn about it.”

When asked what the most rewarding part of owning a pottery business was, Carter explained how much people enjoy the art they make. 

“I want people to be able to come in and enjoy the experience and get the mental therapy out of it. I’ve had a lot of people come in and tell me they love coming here because of that aspect,” she said.

College students can add this to their list of things to do, and if they bring their student ID, they can receive 10% off. Be sure to check them out, located at 43 E Main St.