The studio and gallery of Boanna Pottery is located near the foothills of the Smokey Mountains outside of Rogersville Tn.  The pottery is operated and owned by Boe Beach and his wife Joanna.  Boe is the resident potter and responsible for all pottery production, while his wife takes care of the clerical and office work.  “It’s a beautifully orchestrated working arrangement.  God always seems to complement people when he is allowed to pair them together.  My wife is very content with handling the paper work and cares not for production work. I, on the other hand, love production but cringe at the thought of office responsibilities.”  The production pottery has been established in Tennessee since the spring of 1998.

    Boe's introduction to pottery occurred while in a 7th grade art class at Harry S. Truman Junior High in Detroit Michigan. As part of the curriculum, functional pottery was taught to educate students wishing to peruse an artisan career. “I had always been interested in drawing and painting and dreamed of a career as a cartoonist or animation artist.  But the first time I saw a pot being “thrown” on the potter’s wheel I was hooked.”  After many weeks of trying and repeated failures, his instructor advised him to stick with what he was good at, drawing.  “Something inside wouldn’t allow me to give up.” His perseverance began to show improvement as his love for pottery grew.  In the summer of 1987, Boe was accepted to Berea College in Berea Kentucky.  “My family is originally from the south and I spent many summer vacations running around the mountains of Virginia.  I fit right into the small town life of Berea and began to further hone my skills as a potter.”  Boe worked at the college pottery in the production department as he furthered his education in the arts.  After graduation in 1993, he worked for several other potters from the Berea area.  In 1998 he met his wife Joanna from Church Hill Tennessee, they married and opened there own line of pottery in the spring of 99’.  “My “Grampa” once told me, if you Love what you do for a living, then you never have to go to work”. “God has blessed our business and I feel very fortunate to love what I do for a living and the only person that I know that walks to work each and every day.”  Their Gallery and studio are open to the public Tues-Sat. 12:00- 5:00 pm.