Melissa Ann Maney
 
Melissa Ann Maney, potter, grew up in the Yellowhill community on the Qualla Boundary.

The following biography from The Cherokee Artist Directory, 2001, Cherokee, North Carolina by Barbara Duncan, Freeman Owle, Amy Davis and Tess Thraves, published by the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in collaboration with the North Carolina Arts Council and the Cultural Resources Division of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is used with permission from the editors.
"Melissa Ann Maney demonstrates traditional pottery making and also teaches hands-on pottery classes to groups of all ages.  She particularly enjoys working with students who are eight-to-twelve years old.

Growing up in the Yellowhill community on the Quall Boundary, Melissa Maney learned the traditional Cherokee method of making pottery at home.  Her grandmother, Cora Wahnetah, was a well-known Cherokee potter whose work is owned by the Department of the Interior and is on permanent display at the Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual in Cherokee.  Melissa's mother, Charlotte Wahnetah Maney, grew up watching her own mother Cora, and she passed on many of those traditional styles to her family.

Melissa Ann Maney has taught in several Cherokee communities, at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, and at the Cherokee Youth Center (part of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America).  She has demonstrated at arts festivals and has pottery in the McKissick Museum in Columbia, South Carolina.

Her work has received many ribbons and awards.  She won first place for her pottery at the Cherokee Fall Fair, and first place in the Emerging Artist category at the Kituwah festival in Asheville.  She has exhibited her pottery in North Carolina, South Carolina, and at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

Melissa Ann Maney is willing to travel throughout the region, although her time is limited.  Clay should be provided for her on-site.  To complete pottery through the firing stage, the class schedule needs to include time for drying the clay slowly.  Call her at home to discuss arrangements.  Her fee is negotiable and should include reimbursement for travel expenses."

Melissa Ann Maney
PO Box 882
Cherokee, NC 28719
(828) 497-3319 (work)
(828) 497-5277 (home)

Sources:
[Used with permission] The Cherokee artist directory 2001. Research and writing, Barbara Duncan ... [et al.] ; editing Barbara Duncan, Beverly Patterson. Cherokee, N.C. : Museum of the Cherokee Indian in collaboration with the North Carolina Arts Council and the Cultural Resources Division of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, [2001]