Individuals who played key roles in the growth of AMACO® over the last 25 years. From left to right: David Gamble, Bond Sandoe, Roger Halpin, Ed Walsh, George Debikey, and Bill Berry (circa 1985).

AMACO®: Successful Blend 
Of Business and Service to the Arts

Excerpts from Ceramic Scope article by Denise Wilson–July/August, 1989

What some business executives might call fiduciary frivolity, Sandoe calls “enlightened self-interest.” “Obviously when we’re helping artists or ceramic artists, we’re in turn helping ourselves,” he says.

In 1988 alone, AMACO® donated to the National Art Education Association’s Art Educator of the Year program, participated in New York University’s symposium “A Case for Clay in Education”; underwrote a portion of Indiana’s Clayfest VI, a celebration of ceramic arts; and provided materials and expertise to the second AMACO® Indiana Artists Vase Exhibit, where eight fine artists were invited to explore the world of ceramics through vase decoration.

Indicative of the company’s commitment to marketing—through education is the fact that National Marketing Director David Gamble holds a Master’s Degree in Art Education. Gamble credits Sandoe with taking the risk that promoting ceramics in general will, in the long run, bring the company a dedicated following. “He allows the company to go in directions other companies might not even consider, such as naming an art educator to be the national marketing director, as opposed to bringing in an M.B.A.,” says Gamble. “And he’s given me the freedom to do the things I thought were necessary to educate people.”

For Gamble that means committing his time to conducting workshops at schools, state and national art education meetings, and colleges around the country. His constant interaction with ceramic users allows Gamble to keep his finger on the pulse of the field. “I’ve been trying to keep very close to their needs. I think by doing that…it allows me to create a direction for the company.”

Sandoe’s creative management style has garnered him the respect of his 137 employees, who produce 1500 products sold around the world. Son Jeff, a member of AMACO’s public relations staff and a current B.F.A. candidate at the Herron School of Art, credits his father with pursuing new directions while maintaining AMACO’s reputation as a family-oriented company. He notes that there are third generation employees of the company largely because “there’s a good atmosphere at AMACO®. I’d say every parent who works at AMACO® has kids who work with clay at home.” Now there’s a long-term investment.

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