The documentary “Western Stoneware: The Molding of a Company” is a collaboration between Chris Goble, communication and theater arts lecturer, and his spring semester 2007 Advanced Video Production class, consisting of seniors Holly Butz and Traci Ratliff and exchange student Louise Murphy. After a full semester of work, “Western Stoneware” premiered on campus on May 15, 2007 in the Barnes Electronic Classroom. On Thursday, Oct. 25, the communication and theater arts department hosted a screening of the film in Wells Theater for those people who missed this first showing.

Goble wrote, directed, produced and advised, and the three students share photography and editing credits for the film.  However, these distinctions do very little to capture all of the benefits of a student/ teacher partnership; the students actually participated in all aspects of the filmmaking process.

The documentary traces the origins of Western Stoneware in Monmouth to the late 19th century and competing potteries, Monmouth Pottery Company and Weir Pottery. Western Stoneware was the result of a merging of seven separate potteries, including the two Monmouth companies. At the height of its success, “Western” advertised itself as “The Largest Pottery in the World,” a distinction made no less impressive by the fact that it was self-appointed. Either way, the company did not stay on top for long; they soon lost plants to fire and downsizing, and business to foreign competition and superior materials.

Shortly before the company’s centennial celebration, it was announced that Western Stoneware would be closing its doors for good. The announcement was made in March with an auction of all the equipment planned for July. As the day of liquidation neared, nobody  appeared to be willing to step-up and save the Monmouth company. However, three Western Stoneware employees had been biding their time, and when no one else volunteered to intervene, they combined funds and bought the equipment. They reassembled the company under the name, WS Inc. and have continued the legacy of Western Stoneware on a smaller scale; a new beginning for a company rich in history. 

“Western Stoneware” was screened at the Keokuk Independent Film Festival, held on Sept. 6-9 in Keokuk, Iowa, and Goble has already entered the film for consideration by two other film festivals. He has even tested the waters with a local PBS station and is currently awaiting a response.

Goble is also the advisor for WMCR Radio and MC-TV.  He encourages students to tune-in or, if they’re interested, get involved.  Goble would be happy to answer questions about the documentary or any of the programs he advises. He can be contacted at cgoble@monm.edu.

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