The Memphis Potters' Guild had it's modest beginning in February of 1976, when local artists Cissy Jones and Patti Lechman met at a pottery class at the Memphis College of Art and decided to join together to open their own studio space. They rented a space at the corner of Hollywood and Summer Avenues and began offering classes to the general public. Workshop Inc. as it was first named, was readily received by the public.
In the fall of 1978 the group received a charter from the Ann Arbor, Michigan Potter's Guild, at which Patti had studied. Patterning themselves after that guild, the Memphis Potters' Guild was launched. Several of the current members were among those that joined the guild in it's beginnings: Pat Billmeir, Holly Jenkins, and Jackie ware, with current president, Agnes Stark and Mimi Dann soon to follow. Classes continued, and in addition, the group offered rental of studio space and use of the kiln. The Guild began holding an Annual Holiday Show and sale in the workshop itself, which evolved into the Bi-annual shows the Guild presently offers.
As the time went by, the Guild found it cost prohibitive to continue operating as it had in the beginning and gradually the members moved on to open studios of their own. The Guild has remained a firmly established group however, and continues to share ideas and to present shows to the community.