My ceramic career began in 1967, at the age of fourteen when I joined Minnesota Clay co. as a part-time clay mixer.From 1971 to 1975 I studied with Warren Westerberg at Westerberg pottery in Minneapolis. During my apprenticeship we focused or form and expression. My interest in glaze application and firing was honed at this time. In 1996 I partnered with Russ Gustafson-Hilton and Stan Cowan to form St Petersburg Clay Co. St Pete Clay grew from a small 12 member studio to a 33,000 square foot studio and gallery in the Historic Seaboard Coastline Train Depot which is now the Morean Center For Clay. In 2010 I sold my shares and started my own studio, Charlie Parker Pottery. I have received numerous awards and have been featured in several publications including Ceramics Monthly and Southern Living magazine.