The Community Pottery Studio and a Quaint B&B is a Hidden Gem Nestled in Evansville’s Arts District

The other day, I was browsing Instagram when I came across this beautiful and functional piece of pottery—a swirl bowl, kind of like a chip and dip platter. I thought it would make the perfect Christmas gift, so I clicked through to the artist's shop. But unfortunately, she was based in another country and didn’t offer shipping to the US.

I thought, maybe I could make one myself! I’ve always considered myself artistic, though I’ve never actually done any pottery. So, I decided to look for a local pottery studio where I could learn. A quick Google search for pottery studios in the tri-state area led me to a wonderful surprise: Evansville has a community pottery studio that’s attached to a charming bed and breakfast!

I reached out and got a call from Pete, the owner. He invited me to check out the studio, so I decided to take him up on the offer.

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Explore Evansville’s Hidden Gem: The Tower Estate Airbnb and Community Pottery Studio

The studio is located at the corner of Judson St. and Washington Ave., just a short drive from our downtown Evansville office. When I arrived, I was taken aback to find myself in front of a gorgeous, historic Queen Anne-style home. I wasn’t sure if I was in the right place, but soon spotted the Community Pottery Studio sign.

The History of the Tower Estate in Evansville

Pete Emery, the owner, welcomed me inside. He explained that the house was built in 1865 by Elias Weber, a wealthy saddlemaker. The home was later sold to Frederick Lauenstein, and it stayed in the Lauenstein family until 1957. According to an article by Evansville Living, Lauenstein made some incredible additions to the house, including the angular tower in 1890 (which gave the house its moniker, Tower Estate), stained glass windows, a mahogany stairway, and hand-crafted fireplaces. He told me that the house was also a victim of the 1937 flood, but he’s had fun restoring the home while maintaining its historical integrity.

Pete and Amy Emery’s Restoration of the Iconic Tower Estate in Evansville

Pete and his wife, Amy, bought the property in 2016 and have been working ever since to modernize some aspects of the home while preserving its charm. When the couple moved in, they renovated the front room in the tower into a suite for his elderly father. After his father passed away, they decided to rent the room out on Airbnb. Pete mentioned that they stay busy with bookings and they've really enjoyed the experience.

The room’s main feature is the stunning stained glass window triad, which fills the space with colorful bursts of light. Since the room is separate from the rest of the house, guests get plenty of privacy.

Stay and Create at the Tower Estate: A Historic Home with a Pottery Studio in Evansville

After the tour of the B&B, Pete took me to the Community Pottery Studio. Pete discovered pottery in college at Grove City College, where he used it as an escape from the rigors of his chemical engineering major. What started as a way to relax soon became a full-blown passion. Pete now volunteers at Patchwork Central, teaching pottery to kids.

Haynie’s Corner is known as the "arts district" of Evansville, and while it has plenty of galleries, the Community Pottery Studio is currently the only working art studio. When you step inside, you can tell that Pete doesn’t do anything halfway. The studio is equipped with all the professional tools needed to create beautiful pottery, including kilns, pottery wheels, and a variety of glazes. He even has a closed water system so he can keep the pottery water from going into the city sewer system. Pretty amazing!

Pottery Classes and Memberships at the Community Pottery Studio in Haynie’s Corner

Since it’s a community studio, Pete offers a monthly membership that allows you to create as much art as you’d like. The fee is minimal, with a discounted price for clay. And if you’re like me and have no experience with pottery, Pete offers classes and even gift certificates for lessons. He only teaches two students at a time because, as he put it, “Anything more than that is chaos!”

Rounding out the property’s charm is a small garden that offers a variety of beautiful herbs. I could still smell the basil on that cool crisp fall day!

See Inside

Check out these fun photos from my tour yesterday! To book a stay at the bed and breakfast, you can find them on AirBnb. And to learn more about the pottery studio, visit their website at towerestateandstudio.com.