James Haggerty is well known for his finely crafted forms and mastery of the Persian Luster firing process, a difficult method where eucalyptus wood is inserted into the kiln for a long period of time while cooling. The smoke and ash transforms the glaze surface, creating colorful, iridescent lusters, brilliant metallics, and unusual textures.

Haggerty was born in Methuen, Massachusetts and relocated to California when he was seven. Ceramics became his passion early on after taking a class in school at the age of thirteen. He bought his first kiln to make pottery on his own soon thereafter. When he was fifteen, James was the youngest student ever to take the late Vivika Heino's glaze calculation class.

After finishing high school, James worked for Santa Barbara Ceramic Design where he developed glazes and managed production. He then attended the California College of Arts and Crafts and Otis Parsons Art Institute where he received a BFA. He continued his education at Long Beach State University where he did graduate studies and taught several courses. His work has been displayed in many prominent museums and galleries, including the Smithsonian Institution, and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. James resides in Santa Barbara, CA where he share’s a studio with his wife, Linda.

Linda Haggerty was born in Washington D.C., and developed an early interest in drawing and painting. After finishing high school, she moved to Santa Barbara, CA to attend college. She met James Haggerty while working at Santa Barbara Ceramic Design.

After graduating with a B.A. in Studio Art from The University of California at Santa Barbara, Linda started her own hand-painted tile business, Santa Barbara Tileworks. Several years later she formed a new business, Haggerty Ceramics, with her husband James.