About Jim and Anne Bailey
Jim Bailey
Jim Bailey did not originally plan on running a business. He fell in love with clay in art school, and he dreamed of having a small, quiet studio where he could spend his days listening to music while creating beautiful pottery. After leaving Kansas City Art Institute in 1974, he found a studio in the Adirondacks and began practicing his art.
That same year, Jim became a vendor at the Rhinebeck Crafts Festival, where he sold handcrafted ceramic toothbrush holders. After the fair, demand for his toothbrush holders continued, and he needed to hire employees to keep up with orders. The businessman was born.
As production of his pottery continued, Jim designed and engineered numerous original machines to run his studio more efficiently. He found a machine shop in Kingston, New York that would help him build the equipment he designed. It wasn’t long before Jim realized that his machines could benefit other potters, and in 1976 he released his first commercial piece of equipment, the 30” slab roller. Bailey Pottery Equipment was born.
In 1976, Jim returned to the Rhinebeck Crafts Festival, where he met Anne, who would later join the company and open the Ceramic Supplies division in 1984. Together, Jim and Anne have built a company on the principles of great customer service, building great products, and working together as a team.
Jim and Anne were honored by the Ulster Chamber of Commerce as Bailey Pottery was named Ulster County Small Business of the Year in 2019. In 2022, the Baileys also received the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art Community Award for their outstanding commitment to the arts and their service to the community. (See Press for more details).
Anne Shattuck Bailey
“I work through the arts. It’s what I understand, and for me, it’s a way of bringing people together and allowing for meaningful intersections to take place.” -Anne Shattuck Bailey
Anne Shattuck Bailey is a professional studio potter whose work has been featured in books, museums, galleries, and even the White House. Although born in the United States, Anne studied at Harrow School of Art, which was headed by Mick Casson in London, England. After graduating, she returned to the United States and developed acclaim for her salt-glazed porcelain work.
Anne joined Bailey Pottery in 1984, bringing her extensive knowledge of tools and materials to develop the Ceramic Supplies division. Her expertise in glaze technology and love of clay forms the backbone of Bailey Ceramic Supplies, and she is actively involved with day-to-day operations while still finding time to create her own pottery.
Anne’s passion extends well beyond Bailey Pottery, as she has always been committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and accessible arts community. In Kingston, Anne has used the arts as a platform for multiple initiatives to build bridges across communities. She played a key role in developing both the Kingston Arts Commission and the Kingston Midtown Arts District (MAD), and she was an early supporter of The Lace Mill, an affordable housing project that offers apartments and gallery spaces with preference given to local artists. In addition, Anne serves as the Chairman of the Board for Triform Camphill and Vice President of the Triform Camphill Foundation Board, supporting and encouraging people with intellectual disabilities through creative work programs in Hudson, New York. She is also on the Board of Directors for Bardavon and UPAC Theaters. Anne’s community involvement has helped drive the renaissance of Midtown Kingston and the creation of a thriving arts scene in the area.
Over the years, Anne has received multiple honors in recognition of her contributions to the Kingston arts community, including Community Partner Awards from the Midtown Arts District (MAD) board and RUPCO. Anne and Jim were also honored by the Ulster Chamber of Commerce as Bailey Pottery was named Ulster County Small Business of the Year in 2019. In 2022, the Baileys received the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art Community Award for their outstanding commitment to the arts and their service to the community. (See Press for more details).