Island Pottery by Doro-Tee
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from February 1968.
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In the front garden of these premises there is also an attractive thatch hut. The hut is part of the workroom of Mrs. Dorothy Mihall who produces the most attractive turtles, fish, boats, pots of all shapes and sizes, vases, animals, dishes etc.
These are decorated with designs of local fruit and flowers and glazed in delightful colours. The workshop proper is in the house which was, originally, believe it or not, the Church of God at West Bay! The Mihall's purchased this building and used all the ceilings and other interior items and all the external wood is from the Church. We say "The Mihall's" for Doro-Tee is a U.S. Corporation in which Mr. "Teddy" Mihall is the 'king-pin' and who will share in this enterprise by doing the woodwork part e.g.. bases etc. for the ceramics.
He is a Writer/Director of Informational Film for Eastman Kodak and is, Mrs. Mihall says, "My best critic". Mr. Mihall is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and he and his wife will live in the island seasonally. Mrs. Mihall in a way inherited her gift from her father who did the frescos on the ceiling of the palace of President Vicente Gomez of Venezuela at Maracay who was a friend of his. She is from Trinidad but was trained in New York and says she and herhusband came to Cayman because it is the only refreshing unspoiled island left in the West Indian chain and as they have been up and down the chain from Trinidad they perhaps have a right to express such an opinion which is certainly complimentary to the islands. Dorothy has been making pottery for about 8 years but in Rochester does strictly custom work. She is at present working on an order for 12 coffee cups and saucers with a native fruit theme and is not only catering to tourists but will accept special orders for wedding and other gifts and, in time, expects to undertake mailing items abroad. Just now she is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the electricity lines from Caribbean Utilities as the small generator she has been using is playing havoc with her beautiful electric kiln. Mrs. Mihall welcomes guests and a visit to her establishment is certainly rewarding.
