Joe Symons

Joe Symons has been living on Orcas since 1970. He designed, built and operates the Garden House, runs the Hot Ice Studio, and continues to rattle cages regarding critical unresolved issues regarding the rewrite of the county's comprehensive plan. He's been a volunteer firefighter since the 80's, retired (in 2007) from the board of Children's House, an early childhood education center, and assists several non-profits on the island in using auction software he developed to assist in fund raising.

Now a potter, Joe works with porcelain to produce crystal glazes. Tours of his studio are available for interested guests.

Joe has written a book about life on Orcas entitled "Potholes in Paradise, An insider's view on people, money, technology, culture and community as played out in one of the most remote and beautiful islands in America", the introductory chapter of which is available here.

Return to Garden House.

© 2007 Joe Symons