MuddyMountainPottery

Muddy Mountain Pottery was established in 1970 by Ron Libolt. His first pots were made with clay dug on Muddy Mountain outside Casper, WY, giving the business it's name. Ron operated a shop in Jackson Wy during the 1970's and later attended the University of Wyoming where he received a master's degree in Fine Art. In addition to his well-made functional pottery and large fountains he was known for his pots and sculptures using arms, legs and faces. His artwork often commented on the absurd and mystical aspects of human existence, exemplified by a jar lifting its own lid to reach inside. Ron died of cancer in August 1991.

Tana and West moved to Centennial, Wyoming in 2001, drawn by the amazing scenery and the one-of-a-kind character of the tiny mountain town. They began the crazy endeavor of building their own passive-solar house with walls of dirt-packed tires. The building itself is a sculpture project, an ongoing one.

West Magoon grew up on the Magoon ranch, outside Lusk, Wyoming and studied art at Northwest Community College and the University of Wyoming. He has worked as a graphic artist and photographer for more than 30 years and has been a potter and sculptor since 2000. West's Raku Ray Guns come out of a life-long love of science fiction. The visual roots he draws on include sci-fi magazine covers from the 30’s, 40’s and 50's and the styling cues from 50's automobiles.

Tana Libolt grew up in Laramie and Jackson, Wyoming and in Roosevelt, Utah. Her first teacher was her father, Ron Libolt who started Muddy Mountain Pottery in Casper, Wy in 1970. Clay, tools and encouragement were always available in his various studios and Tana learned to throw on the potters wheel at age 12. After an apprenticeship to a glass-blower in New York and a brief fling with a career as a street musician in Dublin, Ireland, Tana returned to Laramie and the University of Wyoming to study art. She likes the idea of creating objects and ornaments that lend a feeling of delight and wonder to every-day life.