Smith Lake People: The Brushy Creek Potter

A Smith Lake Treasure

::The Brushy Creek Potter:: 

The Western portion of Smith Lake in the Bankhead National Forest is home to a special little piece of heaven we call Brushy Creek. Brushy Creek is known for it's beauty and tranquil areas for boating. Its preserved element is like no other. Brushy Creek might be one of Smith’s best kept secrets. 

If you’ve never taken the tour, I’d add it to your summer bucket list for 2018!  Personally, I’ve gone by boat as far as one can and majestic would be first on the list of adjectives used to describe it. With all the natural beauty surrounding, it should come as no surprise that the folks who call it home are just as special!

Diane Sharron 

Our Lake People feature this week hails from Brushy Creek and is known to many as the “Brushy Creek Potter”. Diane Sharron and her husband Rock joined the Smith Lake community seven years ago. The Sharons retired in 2008 and began thinking about making a move from Raymond, MS, where they lived 30 years. Diane and her husband spent years visiting her brother’s vacation home on Curry’s Raccoon Branch and fell in love! When the time rolled around to make "their move", Smith Lake was the only place they even considered. 

Sunrise on Brushy

After six months of house shopping, they found just what they were looking for in Houston, AL, on Brushy Creek. The breathtaking beauty of the lake and the Bankhead National Forest is now where they call home. After making the move to Alabama, Diane began her pottery journey by taking lessons from Sandra Heaven in Arley, AL.   When Diane isn’t busy with her pottery or admiring the beauty of Brushy Creek, she is engaged in the lives of their daughter, Samantha and their three active grandchildren. 

Pottery Studio at Meek High School

Fish Pottery Piece

Sharon now volunteers her time as an instructor at Meek High School in Arley. In addition, she teaches an adult class on Wednesday mornings in the Meek High School Pottery Studio. This two-hour adult class has been labeled by the group as their “therapy sessions” as pottery is good for the heart, soul, mind and body!  There is something special about local art and people who volunteer their time to teach and impact the lives of high schoolers in our community. Like Brushy Creek, I’ve had the opportunity to visit the pottery studio in person and treasure my piece of local art from Smith Lake’s Brushy Creek Potter.  Thank you Diane for volunteering your time, giving back to the schools in our community and providing one-of-a-kind handmade pieces that represent the beauty of our Smith Lake!

If you have questions about classes, Diane & Sandra teach on Wednesdays and Fridays. Message Diane for the details! 

Smith Lake Crisp Pie Dish

  Thanks for loving Smith Lake! 

  P.S. Be on the lookout for a special Smith Lake Crisp 

  recipe that fits perfectly in the Brushy Creek Pottery pie dish!