Mountain Arts Pottery began as a small backyard enterprise started by David and Jennie Lockie.  The Lockies had owned an excavating company in the 1970s, and in the late 70s, when the economy went soft, the Lockies discovered why it is not a good idea to borrow money on a variable rate loan.  In five years interest went from 9% to over 20%, and David decided that he would have to sell the equipment to pay off the indebtedness.  It took fifteen years, but by the grace of God, they paid off all of their debts without having to go bankrupt as so many did in those years.

While still in the excavating business, David had taken twenty pottery lessons so that he had some time away from the business and the family, and being good with his hands, excelled in throwing pottery.

While trying to decide what to do after selling the excavating equipment, a friend encouraged the Lockies to try the pottery business.  David had a degree in Business from MSU and had been in business for him self for quite some time, so after much prayer, Mountain Arts Pottery was started.

After throwing pots in a chicken coop-turned garage in their back yard for 25 years, the Lockies were able to buy a circa 1932 log cabin on the way to Yellowstone National Park.  The charm of the cabin was hidden under layers of grime and sheetrock, but with three months of hard work, Mountain Arts Pottery opened with a real home of its own with an actual area to display pottery.  The Studio operations were moved into the garage of the log house and Dave built a kiln and hung out a sign on highway 191 in front of the store. Mountain Arts employs two full time potters and three part time helpers to make their beautiful stoneware pottery.

In the past six years since moving out of Bozeman and opening a Store, in conjunction to the pottery, the Lockies have opened a coffee shop and bakery called “The Coffee Pot Bakery” which features all “from scratch” pies, cinnamon rolls, soup, quiche and other baked goods.

Mountain Arts Pottery creates vibrant stoneware pottery which is microwave safe, oven proof, dishwasher safe and 100% lead free.