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Judy and Tom permanently moved to Brown County in 2004. The previous summer of 2003, following Tom’s early retirement, they spent 2 - 3 weeks at a time living in their camper on their 26 acres, while building their pottery studio. They would then return to their home in northern Indiana for a few days rest before coming back for more construction work. Judy and Tom returned to Brown County full time in 2004 to live in a rental home in downtown Nashville while building their home on their 26 acre retreat. After many long days of construction, they moved into their completed home in April 2005. Oak Grove Pottery went into operation later that fall.

Most of Judy’s work is produced as terra cotta functional pottery for use in your home. She also enjoys creating one-off decorative pieces and sawdust fired pots. She has a great love of reproducing baskets in clay, basket designs in functional pieces, leaf motifs and large sawdust fired urns.
In 1996, after their two children left home, Judy began making pots. This was a major change in lifestyle after several years as a management consultant for small business and not-for profits. Judy spent three years studying ceramics in Sydney, Australia, in addition to her previous schooling in the United States at Indiana/Purdue University Ft. Wayne. She exhibited in several ceramics exhibitions in the Sydney area as well as having photos of her work published in an Australia wide ceramics magazine.


Tom began his pottery experience in 1997 following Judy, taking ceramics courses at Indiana University/Purdue University in Ft. Wayne Indiana. Shortly after, they set up a pottery studio and began producing individual pieces and small production pottery sold at local shows and galleries. Tom continued off and on with his pottery whenever time and his regular job would allow including his three year residence in Sydney Australia. While living in Australia, Tom participated in several pottery workshops.

In October of 2006, Tom began working with Judy in Oak Grove Pottery full time. His early efforts focused on glaze formulation and glazing while Tom continued to develop new functional pottery designs on the wheel. In addition to traditional glazed pottery, Tom has found a love in “saw dust fired” pottery. This primitive form of pottery results in pottery that is born from smoke and fire. Just as with snowflakes and people, no two will be exactly alike.

The Prichards are excited to now live in the beauty of the rolling hills of Brown County and experience the contentment of working with clay. The combined studio and gallery experience is available on their peaceful 26 acres site just west of downtown Nashville.

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Members of:
Indiana Artisan Program
Art Alliance Brown County
Brown County Craft Gallery
Local Clay Potters’ Guild, Bloomington, IN

Judy and Tom are both members of the Indiana Artisans Program.
Indiana Artisan supports entrepreneurs who create high-quality art, crafts and value-added foods in the Hoosier state. A venture of the Indiana Office of Tourism Development, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Indiana Arts Commission and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, this comprehensive program was launched in 2008 to:
•  Raise awareness about the availability of locally-crafted products
•  Establish a brand for Indiana-made goods
•  Provide artisans, particularly those in rural areas, with access to entrepreneurial support including training and networking opportunities
•  Support artisan trail and retail development
•  Encourage visitation to Indiana

"Indiana Artisan works with participants, retailers and communities to showcase and sell high-quality, handcrafted products in stores and on trails across the state. Follow the River of Glass, sample Art & Earth, find works by Hoosier Hands and more. Travel the trails and look for the Indiana Artisan logo on products and in the window of shops, galleries and studios. This collaborative program brings together Indiana's talented Artisans' one-of-a-kind art
and food creations - in stores and on trails crisscrossing the state. Their select work enriches the lives of Hoosiers and visitors. Shop for the perfect piece of local art. Stop to savor a fresh slice of homemade pie. Visit a potter's studio and see a masterpiece created. Meet the artisans and share their stories. Your experience will be as valuable and unique as the art or food itself. Indiana is home to hundreds of talented artisans and boasts a variety of unique handmade products."   - Lt. Governor Becky Skillman