Modern American Glamour: Jonathan Adler on Pottery, Design, and Building a Creative Empire

Jonathan Adler

Jonathan Adler’s journey into the world of design began at age twelve during a summer camp where he first discovered pottery. Captivated by the tactile puzzle and intermittent reinforcement of working with clay, he felt an immediate, meant-to-be connection—what he describes using the Yiddish word beshert. Though initially discouraged by a pottery professor who suggested he move to New York and become a lawyer, Jonathan continued to seek his path through the arts.

The turning point of his early career came after a series of failures, including getting fired from five jobs in a row. Unable to make it in the traditional corporate world, he surrendered to his first love and returned to pottery, cold-calling buyers at Barneys and rollerblading to his studio at 6:00 AM. What started as an uncalculated impulse to make pots evolved over thirty-two years into a renowned multi-faceted design and lifestyle brand. Today, Jonathan remains rooted in his workshop, balancing his role as an entrepreneur with his hands-on passion for throwing pots.

See more of Jonathan and his work at: jonathanadler.com