Robbie Bell is the potter and owner of The Speckled Dog. Starting as an avid collector of handmade ceramics, he finally accepted the challenge of creating his own pots. A beginners throwing class started it all. Speckled Dog pots are both wheel thrown and hand built, incorporating natural elements such as leaves, twigs, pine straw and glass. The glazes are all food safe and can be placed in the oven, microwave and especially the dishwasher.

If you pay a visit to The Speckled Dog Pottery, you will always find the studio’s namesake cocker spaniels lying somewhere in the sun.

2004 - Present:

The Speckled Dog Pottery Owner and Potter

Fort Lauderdale, FL

1986 - Present:

Organist and Choirmaster Various Churches

North and South Carolina, Florida

1998-2004:

The Eighteenth Street Inn Owner and Innkeeper

Fort Lauderdale, FL

2002 - 2004:

Fire and Mud Ceramics Developing throwing skills

Hallandale, Fl

2005:

Fire and Mud Ceramics Teapot Fundamentals, Lee Marshall, Instructor

Hallandale, Fl

2007:

Penland School of Crafts Teapots: Utilitarian vs. Miniature, Fong Choo, Instructor

Penland, NC

A native of South Carolina, Robbie attended The University of South Carolina, majoring in Music Education with an emphasis in choral conducting and church music. Throughout his career, he has held positions in the Carolinas as well as Wellington, Coconut Grove and Hollywood, Florida.

After moving to Fort Lauderdale in 1998, Robbie opened The Eighteenth Street Inn, an award winning bed and breakfast. His reputation as a respected caterer developed there in part as a result of his book, The Poolside Banquet: Sharing Recipes Between a Mother and a Son. A trademark of The Inn was “Inn Art”, an evening event featuring fine crafters from the southeast with an emphasis on ceramics. It was at this time Robbie began studying ceramic art production. In 2004, he opened The Speckled Dog Pottery.

Starting as an avid collector of handmade ceramics for use by his catering business, he finally accepted the challenge of creating his own pots. A beginners throwing class started it all. The Speckled Dog’s pots are both wheel thrown and hand built, many incorporating natural elements such as leaves, twigs, pine straw and glass. The glazes are all food safe and can be placed in the oven, microwave and dishwasher.

Robbie has studied ceramic design and construction with Lee Marshall, Silver Ridge Pottery, Lebanon, Tennessee and has recently studied Yixing teapot construction with Fong Choo at Penland School of Crafts, Penland, North Carolina.

2007

NBC 6 South Florida Today Segment: “Trina Tries It” Learning to Throw

Miami, FL

2007

The Atlantic Hotel, Fort Lauderdale “The Mystic Teapot” - Individual exhibit of Red Ceramic Teapots

Fort Lauderdale, FL

2006

“The Dance of Clay: The Art of Ceramic Production” An interactive talk sponsored by Northern Trust’s Fine Living Series

Fort Lauderdale, FL

2008

Habitat for Humanity of Broward County 25th Anniversary Award Statues

Fort Lauderdale, FL

2007

Literary Feast 2007 Broward County Library Foundation Host Committee gifts

Fort Lauderdale, FL

2007

Seafarer’s House Business Luncheon Honoree Gifts

Fort Lauderdale, FL

2006

Seafarer’s House Business Luncheon Honoree Gifts

Fort Lauderdale, FL

2007

Best in Show for 3-D Art Bravo! Sponsored by ArtServe and Funding Arts Broward

Fort Lauderdale, FL

ArtServe

Florida Craftsmen

The Association of Anglican Musicians

American Guild of Organists

American Craft Council

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