In addition to selling pottery in the Plano gallery, Holman Pottery supplies functional pottery to approximately 150 galleries nationwide, three national parks and is featured in online catalogs such as Uncommon Goods. All pottery is made by Tony Holman on the pottery wheel inside the gallery located in the circa 1890 Queen Anne style Victorian cottage near downtown Plano, where Tony also lives.

The backstory

Tony and his former spouse and continuing business partner Debbie Dusek Holman opened Holman Pottery in 1989. The company started out in Fairview and in 1992 they moved the business to a space they rented behind The Wooden Spoon on K Avenue. In 1998, the business owners bought the historic home in Plano.

“We love old houses and old buildings,” Tony said. “We thought it would be a good investment.”

“There's no way we could afford it,” Debbie added. “There was a lot of ramen soup and beans going on.”


Tony and Debbie divide responsibilities based on their strengths.

“Tony does all the creative end, and I do all the business,” Debbie said. “He's got the art degrees. I have the business degrees.”

Zooming in

Tony makes his pottery from fine white stoneware which is microwave- and dishwasher-friendly, and features Tony’s signature carved in each piece.


Pottery is stacked throughout the inside studio and outside kiln area in various stages of completion.

“There'll be a lot of times I'll make between 100 to 200 pots a day,” Tony said. “But keep in mind, more of that time actually goes to what we call shop work. What I'm doing is making pots, glazing pots, mixing and preparing glazes and I keep my eye on the gallery.”

The details

Debbie said the company’s top three selling items are the omelet maker, mugs and personal chip and dip dish.


“I was at an arts festival in Galveston last weekend and somebody bought an omelet maker on Saturday because they were intrigued by it,” Tony said. “They came back on Sunday and bought me out because it actually works.”

Over the years, Holman Pottery has filled custom orders such as chalices for churches, steins for breweries, sauerkraut press and various commissioned pieces from the city of Plano.

Going forward

Tony said he’s always working on production efficiency and making unique objects that everyone wants.


“I can't imagine not doing this all the time,” Tony said. “People talk about retiring. What would I do when I retire? Well, I’d be making pots—It's not really work to me.”

Quote of note

Debbie said she is proud of what they have accomplished as business owners.

“There's so much pride in owning your own successful business,” Debbie said. “I take pride in saying that we own Holman Pottery.”