We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Terry Jane England. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Terry Jane below.

Terry Jane, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

I grew up in Edgewater, Florida and in the middle of an orange grove. My mother was a single parent and I am her only child. My father left us when I was 4 years old and we lived with my maternal grandparents. Growing up I knew we were poor and I knew my mother was different then most of the other moms. My mother was eccentric. She was extremely creative, an artist, an environmentalist way ahead of her time and an animal advocate taking in stray and injured animals. Not just a few poor creatures…my mother would save anything and everything that needed help. Our back yard was a menagerie of animals. We even had a baby possum recovering in our living room. We were always doing craft projects outside. We were always working on a “project” in my grandfather’s workshop. She took me everywhere with her. It didn’t matter if it was fishing, her 4am paper rout, or her work at the local animal shelter, I was her side kick. This is what impacted my life. This is what I remember; giving back, always working hard, embracing creativity and family.

Terry Jane, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

When folks read about my upbringing I hope it gives them a window into who I am. Jane’s is a ceramic art center. No matter if you have never touched clay or you are a professional potter you can come and feel welcomed and have a place to learn. Years ago I had taken a few pottery courses at the Spurill Art Center outside of Atlanta. Their art center is truly alive and fun. I was trying to think what our community needed and didn’t offer. And the answer was there.
I built Jane’s Art Center and Gallery 4 years ago. Jane’s is really, really new and we get a lot of things right and we drop the ball sometimes too.
I work 6 days a week. I have a difficult time staying focused. However, I have an amazing staff and instructors who are very patient with me. In order to survive Jane’s has to have structure and it has to always be forward thinking. We have classes or workshops everyday and open studio time for students to come in when they are not with their instructor. We have 3 electric kilns and 2 outside gas kilns. Next year I am adding a more kilns, a second building, then we will have a building for wheel students and a building for hand builders.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

My staff and my instructors, they are the rocks behind Jane’s. It takes a village and I would be a liar if I said I built a buisness by myself. Reputation is everything. New Smyrna Beach is a growing beachside community and I was born here. I grew up here moved away and returned so my husband and I could retire and give back to our community. This is where I want folks to know we get a lot of things right but we drop a ball here and there. I am the one that has to apologize first, to the staff, instructor, the clients. If something goes wrong, if someone is not happy, well, my mother’s name and mine are on the building.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I don’t have a business partner or cofounder. My good friend Trish Thompson was instrumental in gathering and introducing the instructors and staff I would need. Trish had a gift of connecting people together. She shared her knowledge openly. Trish passed away unexpectedly last year and our community truly has lost an amazing human.

Richard, my husband of 43 years, and I met in high school. We are total opposites. I am amazed and thunderstruck how he has maintained his sanity living with me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.janesartcenter.com
• Instagram: janes_art_center
• Facebook: Janes