Jack G. Handshaw, Jr., 69, of Fairfield, passed away peacefully at his home on May 6, following a cancer diagnosis. Born on Sept. 2, 1956, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Jack and Barbara (Brown) Handshaw, both of whom preceded him in death, as did his cousin, Sarah “Sally” Brooks.

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Jack discovered his love of art and pottery in high school and carried it with him throughout his life. A 1974 graduate of Chambersburg Area Senior High School, he went on to enlist in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1978. It was during this time that he found his calling, eventually becoming an instructor with Army Recreational Services at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Following his service, he pursued further study in Philadelphia, learning from regional potters whose guidance he credited for deepening his understanding of ceramics as an art form.

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In 1979 he purchased, restored, and lovingly maintained the log home built in 1790 that sits alongside Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve. For more than 45 years, it was here that Jack went on to become a working artist and the owner of Hobbit House Pottery on Mt. Hope near Fairfield. He was a juried member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen since 1978 and an active member of the Adams County Arts Council (ACAC) since its founding. His work spanned a wide range of techniques with a focus in later years on raku pottery and reduction-fired glazes on porcelain. His piece “Harvest” earned third place in crafts at the 2020 Pennsylvania Art of the State exhibition at The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, and second place the following year at the ACAC juried exhibit. Over the course of his career, he received multiple awards from the council in recognition of his artistic contributions to the region.

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Jack was also a devoted teacher. He instructed privately at his studio, served as an artist-in-residence at local schools and institutions, and led workshops for the Greencastle Arts Council, Chambersburg Arts Council, Strawberry Hill Nature Center, and the Adams County Arts Council. For more than two decades he brought pottery to children and adults through the Adams County Arts Council and the Renfrew Institute’s Summer Heritage Crafts program. In 2010 he received the Institute’s Environmental Artistry Award.

 

Beyond his art, Jack had a deep love of nature. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, cross-country skier, and hiker who found constant inspiration in the natural landscape of south-central Pennsylvania that influenced so much of his work at the pottery wheel. He also had a quiet passion for painting and poetry, pursuits that reflected the same sensitivity to beauty and the natural world that defined everything he created. Jack traveled to many beautiful places throughout his life. He enjoyed sharing stories of the beauty of the areas he visited with his family and friends, inspiring them to also get out and explore the world.

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A person of faith, Jack was known for his kindness, compassion, and love for others, including friends and family alike who will carry forward his gentle spirit in their hearts.

 

He is survived by his partner of 30 years, Jim Fisher; his niece Monet (Tyler) Koehle; Jim’s children, Christopher (Elizabeth) Fisher and Corey (Cheryl) Fisher; and many close friends.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Adams County Arts Council or the Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve in memory of Jack.

 

A memorial gathering to celebrate Jack’s life will be announced at a later date.

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