Cody W. Trautner was born in Fargo, North Dakota and raised in Moorhead, Minnesota.  After taking pottery courses in high school, he set up his own small studio and began working with clay.  In 2010, he earned a BFA in ceramics from Minnesota State University of Moorhead (MSUM)- after which he taught wheel throwing and hand building ceramics.  His position as resident potter at Hickory Flat Pottery began in May of 2012, where he is now owner.  His current work focuses  on functional pottery and experimenting with salt fired pieces.  His most recent work is  inspired by the foothills of Georgia, where he strives to capture a time and place.