“Living here, in a small rural community with the beauty and wildness of the river bottoms at our back door, reminds us to take a deep breath and let go. We offer this space in the hope that it will allow people to slow down and spend time together. The most important things in life are friends, family, and community.”
– John Thomas & Kathy Ruggles, owners
Wisconsin Pottery & Gift Gallery
Simply Dunn is located in beautiful, historic Downsville and overlooks the Red Cedar River Valley, oxbow ponds and 65 acres of woodland, native prairie under restoration as well as ponds, and walking trails. Close to Eau Claire, Wisconsin and Minneapolis, Minnesota, it is the perfect destination for a family outing or a visit for easy local gift shopping.
About Simply Dunn Home of Dunn County Pottery
Simply Dunn, home of Dunn County Pottery, is a working pottery, gallery and gift shop located in beautiful Downsville, Wisconsin. Potter John Thomas founded the Dunn County Pottery in 1973. John apprenticed as a potter on the island of Awajishima, just south of Kobe, in central Japan between August 1971 and September 1972. He learned traditional production pottery, dug local clay from the earth, and learned to mix glazes by hand.
In 1985, John moved his pottery and showroom to The Creamery Restaurant and Inn, a joint venture by the Thomas family, which included a fine dining restaurant, gift shop, and inn rooms in the renovated historic creamery building.
In 2000, the pottery moved next door to The Creamery building. The historic Downsville Schoolhouse was moved to the Dunn County Pottery in 2008.
Hand Thrown Wood Fired Wisconsin Pottery
John Thomas hand throws most of the pottery and also uses techniques like drape molding and stamping. Many of the glazes are custom mixed and the some of the clay bodies and glazes are made from local clays dug from the surrounding hillsides. John fires many pots in gas and electric kilns throughout the year.
His favorite pots are wood fired in a three chamber noborigama kiln, or climbing kiln, that was built by hand and is made of brick. This large kiln is generally fired twice a year just before the pottery hosts an open house. One small chamber in the kiln is reserved for salt firing, which increases the intensity of the colors created by the flames. The kiln is often fired with wood John sources from the restoration of the woodlands adjacent to Simply Dunn.
Sustainability and care for the environment are a primary focus of owners John Thomas and Kathy Ruggles.
Participants in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), they received an award for practicing exemplary conservation and having the highest ranked forestland enrolled in CSP in 2012. The Simply Dunn facility is powered by a 10.8 kilowatt 48 panel fixed solar array, which is connected to the grid, and provides all the power needed for Kathy and John’s home and business. The array was installed by local company Next Step Energy. Gift shop items include local and fair trade gifts, arts, and crafts by local artisans.
Simply Dunn in the News
Thin Ice: Owners Have High Hopes for a New Kind of Creamery in Downsville | Leader Telegram | September 10, 2016
Downsville Resident Hooked on Pottery | Leader Telegram | December 13, 2014
Dunn County Pottery | Leader Telegram | December 12, 2014
Prairie Days Comes to Downsville | Chippewa Valley Herald | August 30, 2013
Downsville-Area Couple Awarded for Their Conservation Efforts | Leader Telegram | February 28, 2013
What Goes Around: New Owners Seek Interested Part(ies) to Give Landmark Inn a Second Chance | Chippewa Valley Herald | June 25, 2011
Stoked About My Crock | Trout Caviar | March 8, 2011
Photos of Simply Dunn | Volume One | February 4, 2011
The One Room Gallery | Volume One | February 3rd, 2011
Octagonal Schoolhouse to Be Meeting Space | Leader Telegram | November 6, 2010
Downsville Pottery Business Fills Niche | Gift Shop Magazine | December 13, 2008
Downsville Schoolhouse Benefit is Tonight | Chippewa Valley Herald | July 9, 2008
Downsville Couple Plans Renovation of Unique Octagonal Schoolhouse | Chippewa Valley Herald | August 13, 2007
Empty Bowls Boasts Full Lineup of Events | Chippewa Valley Herald | March 26, 2003
Empty Bowls Fill Potters’ Shelves | Chippewa Valley Herald | March 24, 2003
Raku Bowls at Downsville Festival | Chippewa Valley Herald | August 14, 2002
County Artist Studio/Gallery Tour to Make Debut | Dunn County News | June 21, 2000
Dunn County Pottery Holds Retrospective | Dunn County News | October 20, 1999