Dawn Klinger is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts focused on Ceramic Sculpture. Dawn has been working with clay for 30+ years, beginning in her freshman year of high school, where she fell in love with the medium. Pursuing  art was not her original goal but as she began taking classes in college the positive feedback and support from her professors led her to realize, this was where she felt most at home.  Dawn began her career in the early nineties teaching art and participating in art festivals in southern Florida, finding success in her ceramic sculpture and fulfillment teaching ceramics to a variety of populations.  Dawn took a break from pursuing this path in 2003 to raise her children but always kept her hand  in the medium.  In 2015, after a move to southern Oregon, she decided to take her sculptural background in handbuilding and apply it to functional ceramics.  From there, Tagliaferro Ceramics was born. Working out designs in her garage, over the course of a year Dawn created the initial pieces that would form the base of her dinner and serving ware collections.  In 2016, Dawn partnered with a local woodworking company to open a boutique in Ashland, Oregon featuring her ceramics and his northwest hardwood cutting and serving boards.  The pair were naturally aligned with simple, organic style focused on letting the material speak and minimizing embellishment.  Tagliaferro is named after Dawn's maternal grandfather.  Most of Dawn's childhood was spent in the care of her grandparents and it was by her grandfathers side, at his basement workbench, that she learned to create with he materials around her.  The concept of family and sharing food together is at the core of Tagliaferro Ceramics and she choose the name to honor hers.  Dawn continues to evolve the business, creating a website in Feb. 2019, running the Ashland boutique and most all, refining and creating new designs in her creekside studio.

Abby is a production potter specializing in wheel-thrown homewares. "From my heart to your home".  After a long career as a professional photographer, Abby began pottery 2 1/2 years ago and found peace and healing in the quiet solitude of working with her hands. Abby began her career in Salem, MA and is (at the time of this publication) is in the process of relocating to Duluth, MN where she is moving into her first dedicated workshop and studio space.

For years Annelies Callewier has invested in the small family in knowledge, experience, workshop and equipment. From Annelies' perspective, life is too short to master the whole trade. Each potter learns all the necessary things of the trade to be able to earn his or her bread and specializes in a specific work. Annelies' passion in recent years is the serial production of utility pottery.

Ryan Durbin and Becca Otis host a podcast called Wheel Talk. With 20 years of experience together and 5 years of friendship under their belts, they have candid, real and honest conversations about what it's actually is like to running a small business, whether it be a full time gig (Becca) or a sweet side hustle (Ryan).

Sara Ballek is a ceramic artist living in Asheville, North Carolina. Sara is currently a Resident Artist and instructor at Odyssey ClayWorks in Asheville. Sara works with a number of methods and processes to create functional pottery with a focus on color, pattern, and texture.

I see my artwork as a journey in which the process - the very visceral act of creating is as significant as the final outcome. It is labyrinthine in its development and I am often surprised by the intuitive level of its revelation. I am entranced by the visual traces of this journey and the slow development of a patina of color and texture, the subtle variation of simple forms, and the impact of timing, and of time. To me, these layering’s are reminiscent of geological formation and similarly offer insight to the factors of influence, as well as to the many possibilities of interpretation.

In this episode I gave you, the listeners an opportunity to grab  the mic and share your mind. This is in celebration of reaching 600 episodes! I can't believe that we have hit such a crazy number. I owe all the thanks to you and to our amazing guests that we have had over the years. So from the bottom of my heart I want to say, Thank you. 

Jessica’s early years were spent in Upstate New York. The daughter of an engineer and a photographer, Jessica grew up in her father’s workshop and her mother’s darkroom. Jessica earned a BA in Studio Art at UT Austin and has worked in graphic design and ceramics for over 20 years.

Kimmy Rohrs and Aaron McSorley are the potters behind whiskey and clay - ceramics for everyday use from the high deserts in Santa Fe New Mexico and Terlingua Texas. Kimmy throws all the pots at her studio in a converted gas station near downtown Santa Fe, drives them up the mountain to their adobe home where the couple and their kiln live, Aaron then fires each piece to cone 10 temperatures in a heavy reduction firing environment. The outcome is rustic, minimal, and simple pieces to add joy to everyday life.

Ceramics found Embla Sigurgeirsdottir in 2011 when she stood at crossroads in life and took her on a journey she didn´t expect, an adventure had begun and a new passion for life. Embla works mainly with surface texture by carving into and through her porcelain designs, creating strong patterns and dramatic effects of light and shadows. Embla's designs often come from the ability of the material itself.  Working with porcelain and drawn to its white and translucent nature, Embla plays with the boundaries it gives her, always trying to push it a little further each time.

Denise McDonald originally trained as a Landscape Architect, obtaining a Degree in Landscape Architecture in 1991. Denise quickly realized that wasn’t for her and switched to a career path in ceramics by doing a TAFE Diploma of Ceramics in 1996-97. Denise worked in production potteries over the next few years to learn the skills and traditions of her trade from the roots up, most notably, she did the Dartington Pottery Traineeship in England in 1998-1999. Denise began her business DM Pottery in 2010.

Working out of her home studio in Virginia, Marianne Tolosa creates almost exclusively mugs inspired by the garden. There is an inherent intimacy to objects that have been made by hand, and Marianne's work is created with the hope of bringing quiet beauty, meditation, and joy into a person’s coffee or tea ritual.

Born in Pennsylvania but raised in Nebraska, Danielle Whigham received her B.A. in studio art from Northwestern College in 2007. While in college, Danielle was able to take advanced classes in ceramics, painting, and printmaking. Over the past two years, Danielle has been starting up a small ceramic studio in her home while also making the transition from full-time mom to studio potter. Danielle has been able to sell her work at several markets across the state and start an online store.

Lindsay Klix is the ceramic artist who runs Off Your Rocker Pottery. Lindsay has been working in clay for 21 years and specializes in dinnerware, including full dish sets. Lindsay's work has been featured in the American Farmhouse Style Magazine, in the number one selling cookbook No Crumbs Left, and more.

For the last nine years, Elena Vasilantonaki has been making with clay, inspired by her need to express herself, to achieve communication, and to present her view of the human nature to others. Born in 1977 in Athens Greece, Elena moved to over six cities by the age of eighteen.  After completing her BA in English Literature  at the University of Athens, Elena taught at a local school for a few years until she stopped to become a full time mother. During that period Elena started taking painting lessons as a creative outlet. In 2010 Elena met with neighbor and talented English potter, Janet Lines who introduces Elena to clay and the ancient firing techniques of raku and pit firing. In 2016 Elena turns her home basement into her studio while still taking pottery classes. In 2018 Elena completes a one year seminar on ceramics technology at Iridanos pottery school  by acclaimed potter Menandros Papadopoulos. She has been working out of her studio ever since.

Chiara Della Santina was born and raised in Tuscany but spent many years living abroad. Chiara moved back to Orbetello (her hometown) 5 years ago. For many years Chiara worked as a language teacher. About 2 years ago Chiara decided to shake up her life and become a full-time potter. So far it’s been the best decision Chiara ever made in her entire life!

Stephanie H. Shih explores concepts of home—not just as a physical place, but also as cultural, generational, and emotional spaces we inhabit—through the lens of Asian-American identity. Eighteen pieces from her current body of work will be exhibited at the American Museum of Ceramic Art (Pomona, CA) in 2020. Stephanie lives in Brooklyn.

Bethany Sheesley is a ceramic artist, brand designer, and studio owner with a BFA from the University of Iowa. Bethany has spent the last decade fully immersed in design and ceramics. Three years ago, Bethany realized a dream of hers by creating a new pottery studio in Phoenix, AZ, where she lives and works with other artists. Bethany's ceramic work is an ever-evolving exploration, inspired by nature, design, and a variety of artistic mediums.

Gabriela Martinez (Gabo Martini) was born in Tarimoro, Guanajuato, Mexico in 1995. She received her BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Ceramics from Texas State University in 2018. Martini’s work is inspired by indigenous Mexican and Native American art. She carves patterning and lettering onto terracotta vessel forms.

Mia Moss is a potter born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After moving to Berlin in 2014, Mia decided to commit to pottery as her career. In 2017, Mia opened a small community space, to give classes and bring in other potters. In 2019, Mia moved again to an even bigger space.

Amy Brummond is the clay enthusiast and self-taught potter behind Pine Zen Pottery. She loves combining color and pattern in her work. Amy practices yoga and meditation daily and gets outside as often as possible. She currently resides in Minnesota--where she lives with her husband and two sons.

Emma Hall is a 30 year old, self-taught potter based in the beautiful Cotswold’s in the U.K. Emma has always been creative, even creating her own shows at age 16, but she didn’t continue this creativity and went to university studying something completely different. Emma says something she learned in life is that if you are truly creative it will find you again and so she did with pottery. Emma creates brightly colored and fluid pieces. Addicted to color is a fitting description for Emma. She exclusively uses Amaco Brent branded glazes to get the colors she loves. Emma's pottery is hand built with slip used for the decoration.

Keith Hershberger is a potter living in Philadelphia who has made a living working in clay for over 20 years. In 2011 Keith founded the Highland Park Pottery Tour, a neighborhood based tour where ceramic artists invite the public into their homes and studios to view and purchase their work.

Creating pots is for Yoon Surl the ultimate act of consciousness. Rather than letting Youn's unconsciousness drive his art work, Yoon fashions clay into a shape that corresponds to a preconceived vision.

Dave Zackin studied animation at RISD, taught art classes for adults with schizophrenia for a few years, redesigned the recycling stickers for the City of New York, and then got into ceramics. His work, mostly depicting old men with big noses, is often made from greenware and bisquware discarded by others.

Louis Reilly has been making functional pottery since 2008. Louis maintains a steady studio practice and exhibits his work internationally. Louis obtained his BFA in 2009 from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his MFA in 2013 from Utah State University. Louis serves as Studio Coordinator at KC Clay Guild and teaches ceramics at Benedictine College. 

Michelle Miolla is  a potter living in the mountains of North Carolina in a town called Vilas, right outside of Boone. Michelle has her BFA in clay from Appalachian State University. Michelle primarily handbuilds, but also loves to throw on the wheel. Michelle also bartends at Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Boone’s first brewery!

Rosemarie Durr is a Kilkenny based Irish potter who hand throws a range of contemporary stoneware tableware which is designed for everyday use. Rosemarie has a background in design and her distinctive powder blue and buttermilk white glazes are uplifting and fit into every home and lifestyle. The pots are thrown finely and are light to the touch. Rosemarie shares her studio and shop with ceramic artist husband Andrew Ludick.

Zeynep Testoni’s work is inspired by the ocean and natural surrounds of her home in the seaside village of Gerroa, two hours south of Sydney in NSW, Australia. Zeynep has chosen ceramics as her ‘encore career’ after teaching English in secondary schools for almost 30 years. Zeynep's home studio is becoming a thriving local hub for pottery enthusiasts.

David Kenton Kring was born and raised in Frankfort, Kentucky where he grew up in a small family-run men's workwear store. This blue collar atmosphere helped to influence not only David's passion of working with his hands but also his surfaces. David received his BA from Transylvania University focusing in ceramics and mixed media. David then began working for the ceramic distributor Kentucky Mudworks, where he honed his skills as a figurative sculptor and potter. Since then David has exhibited nationally, lectured and demoed at major universities, and has begun curating gallery shows and craft markets. David is currently living in Lexington, Kentucky where he keeps a home studio as a full time working artist.

Daniel Tomcik is a wood fire potter and pizza maker from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dan received his BFA from California University of Pennsylvania. He worked as an apprentice at the Baltimore Clayworks Noborigama, and as summer staff at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts. Daniel is currently the Studio and Grounds Manager at Touchstone Center for Crafts, where he is working to cultivate a community of wood-firing enthusiasts.

Shawna Pincus is a ceramic artist living in Baltimore Maryland with her husband Michael, daughter Amelia, and their cat Bowie. Shawna grew up right outside of Philadelphia and attended school at the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned a BFA in sculptural studies then continued on to Towson University earning her certification in Art Education. Shawna has taught as an art teacher in the public school system, as an adjunct Professor of Art Education for Towson University, instructs adult pottery classes at the Baltimore Clayworks and has led various workshops with adults, children and art teachers. Shawna spends most of her time working in her basement studio creating hand built functional pottery and perfecting her unique style of screen-printing on clay.

Mike Regan is a California native, born in San Diego and raised in the South Bay area. Mike currently works in the movie FX industry creating strange and fantastic creatures, as well as horrifying deaths at the hands of theses creatures. So, why is Mike on the Potter's Cast? Because a year and a half ago, Mike decided to apply his knowledge of sculpture and mold making to ceramics and take up another hobby... Not like he doesn't have too many already!

Lean Van der Merwe has been obsessed with pottery his whole life, and instantly fell in love with wheel throwing after his first class. Lean is ecstatic to share his creations. Each piece is thoughtfully made and glazed individually, and every single one is absolutely unique.

Toni Losey ceramicist from Dartmouth, NS, received her BFA from NSCAD, 2018. While there, Toni's 15 years as a studio potter helped develop a body of sculptural work. Toni has shown at SOFA Chicago, NCECA, and many private and public galleries. Tony was published in Ceramics Monthly and teaches at NSCAD.

Lucy Fagella has a BFA from Alfred University College of Art and Design (1985). Lucy is a full time potter and ceramics instructor. Lucy's work has been included in national juried exhibitions, ceramics publications, and home magazines. Lucy is a founding member of the Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail since it's inception in 2004.

After spending two years as a structural engineering student at Cal Poly State University, Kenny Sing transferred to the Arts department where he focused advertising design and teaching ceramics on the side. Since graduating graphic design remains Kenny's primary occupation in San Francisco, where he is also extremely dedicated to his art of ceramics at Clay By the Bay SF Pottery School.

Christopher St John has been active as a professional artist for 18 years now. Most of Christopher's career has been focused on painting, but in the past year Christopher has switched over to ceramics.

Myrrto Zirini studied interior design and architecture in London where she also worked for 3 years as a consultant at Space Syntax Ltd. In 2004 Myrto returned to her home city, Athens Greece, and worked within architecture and design in multiple areas – urban/public spaces, architecture and interior design (as a partner at aka lab architects) down to the smaller scales of exhibitions, furniture and graphic design. Myrto has also taught at the MA interior design course at Vakalo Art & Design College in Athens. She moved to the island of Corfu in 2012. Myrto went on a six month period learning ceramics with a local potter in Corfu in 2014 and continued learning on her own by experimenting with clay.  In 2015 Myrto started her own small studio and production. In 2017 Myrto created a combined studio and showroom in the old town of Corfu, focusing on one of a kind sculptural, organic forms.

Lilly Mandarano is the designer-maker behind The Super Sparrow ceramics. Lilly hand builds ceramic tableware in her studio in Deptford, SE London. Lilly studied Fine Art and then moved into ceramics by change following that. The pieces are designed to reflect a natural, minimal, and relaxed aesthetic.

Michael Hall is from Kansas City, Missouri. He escaped to Tempe, Arizona–earned his BFA from Arizona State University in 2012, worked as a Secondary Ceramics Teacher, and left to work with Steven Hill at 323Clay in Independence, Missouri. Currently, Michael is a MFA candidate at Bowling Green State University.

Hayley Knouff is a self taught potter and owner of Desert Sun Ceramics, a small community clay studio in Moab, UT. Hayley's passion for ceramics and her desire to support art in her rural community are what drive her to create a thriving studio space where all skill levels are welcome.

LeeAnn Dodde make pots at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. LeeAnn's greenware is packed up and shipped out on a mule. LeeAnn is transitioning to full time pottery during the summer of 2019.

Troy Drake is a potter who was born with Down syndrome. Each piece of pottery is handmade by Troy, sometimes with the help of his mom, Suzanne. 100% of the proceeds from his pottery are donated to non profit organizations at the end of the year.

Elizabeth Schaefer Endener started working with clay in high school but did not pursue it as a career. Instead Elizabeth got her degree in Biology and worked at a variety of places trying to find the right fit. Elizabeth got involved with the organic and sustainable food movement, working for and managing some start-up companies including local food cooperatives and a small organic farm. Elizabeth's entrepreneurial spirit grew and decided that what she wanted more than anything was to combine her two passions, both of which involved transforming the earth. So, in 2015 Elizabeth set upon starting a business creating and designing a beautiful line of pottery, as well as growing a little cut flower garden and raising butterflies. 

Krista Coons is the ceramic artist known as Her Name Is Mud. Krista graduated from Brigham Young University with her BFA in ceramics. Krista lives in the Arizona desert with her husband and three children, working out of her home studio with blush tiled floors.

Laurie Carretta Scupp lives and works in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Laurie ceramics are hand built using slabs and pinch pots. Laurie works with red earthenware clay and is inspired by nature, which Laurie uses to form illustrated narratives on her work.

Thomas Skupniewitz has been working in clay for the past 10 years. Thomas was a wallpaper hanger for 43 years and he is self taught in many other mediums. Thomas never had the grades or money in his youth to attend higher education but he did not let it stop him. Thomas wishes to convey to The Potters Cast listeners that we have to play the cards we were dealt and simply practice, practice, practice.

Karishma Rodriques was born and raised in Mumbai, India.   Life handed Karishma clay in 2012 after what she can only call a a missed call in 2011. Karishma has been working, teaching ,experimenting, fighting, and falling in love with clay ever since and continues to do so. Karishma finds inspiration from characters in sitcoms, movies, and books as apposed to nature. Karishma considers clay to be a person with his moods and is her shrink when in need.

Jill Leary is a practicing artist and NYS certified art teacher. Jill has a BFA in Fine Arts, concentration in Ceramics and a BA in Art Education from Syracuse University as well as a MS in Fine Arts. Jill worked for Brewster Central Schools for 11 years as an Art Teacher until she had her two daughters. Jill now owns and runs Railyard Arts Studio.

Brielle Rovito is a ceramicist and designer living and working in Burlington, Vermont. Brielle makes clean, sculptural forms that reference humanness, movement, and the body. Brielle work is best identified by oblong shapes and bulbous moments that hover between the functional/non-functional line.

Calou Calay is the collaborative work of engaged couple Lisa Tantillo and Zack Callaghan. After 5 years on the art circuit they have developed a series of thrown and altered work inspired by a monster lore ranging from the of Boo Hag of the Carolinas to the Yokai Oni of Japan. The artists capture these creatures in clay as a means of exploring the human psyche and honoring the traditions of storytelling.

Sean Scott is a ceramic artist who specializes in hand built functional pottery. Scott, originally from Dayton, Ohio, earned his BFA from Ohio University and his MFA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He currently lives in rural Battle Lake, Minnesota where he operates Pomme de Terre Pottery.

Marco Minetti is an apprentice potter to Kwak Kyungtae in Icheon, Korea, founder of Ceramic Masterclass intensive workshops.

Linda Engstrom has been an environmental activist since 12 yrs old. Linda went to College Art Studies and focused on illustration, prints, and photography. Linda is a freelance photographer and lived in Spain when she was 24-32 yrs old. Linda moved back to Sweden 2011. Linda has dealt with depression and PTSD. Ceramics gives peace of mind to Linda. 

Tim Kowalczyk, Curt Hammerly, and Sean Roberts have all been on the show in the past with their own episodes. Today they have all teamed up to discuss the various approaches to selling pottery through galleries, online, or events. With their backgrounds and approaches, Tim, Curt, and Sean have their own track records that they draw from for this conversation.

Forrest Middelton is back on The Potters Cast! You may remember Forrest as the source of the amazing tool, The Studio Sander. You may also remember Forrest as an amazing artist that creates functional wares and his amazing tiles. Forrest has now written a book on tile making. If you are looking for a step-by-step guide, Forrest's book has it, but it is much more. It also dives into the history of tiles, design, and installation. 

Roxanna Dourthe is a Caribbean born artist who has settled in Sabiñan, Spain. Not content with any one medium, Roxanna is involved in printmaking, experimenting pottery, tile making, and ceramic murals. Roxanna is a never-ending student.

Leigh Anne Thompson and her fiancé, Steven, are full-time potters traveling around the US selling their work at renaissance festivals as well as online. They have multiple studios and spend a good part of the year living on the road, making pots, and homeschooling their son Ocean. They put just as much creativity into growing their business as they do their pots, always trying new ideas to keep it fresh. They have a line of gourmet coffee all with ceramic inspired names and sell specialty underglaze transfers for other potters to use in their work. They take pride in “Living the dream” and are supporters of other makers finding their way to "artpreneurship" as well.

Nancy Gardner received a BFA in Ceramics from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia 1980 and MFA from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1984.  After that Nancy taught for 3 years in Dayton Ohio.  When Nancy and her future husband decided to get married, she moved to Chicago where they started Nancy Gardner Ceramics, a line of highly decorative, somewhat functional ceramics.  They raised 2 boys, rehabbed some buildings and sent a lot of pots out into the world.  They lived happily ever after and remain there to this very day. 

Sam Lopez is a potter living and working in San Diego, California. Sam teaches ceramics as an adjunct instructor at Riverside City College and makes pots in his home studio.

Clay has been in Lisa Neimeth's life since studying ceramics in college. Lisa is constantly taking note of colors in nature, food, magazines, newspapers, fashion, street art, and graffiti and she loves seeing colors put together unexpectedly. Lisa's plates can inspire and tell a story so they are evocative in the traditional “art” sense—but are completely functional. Lisa also loves the notion of high-end craft and taking time to carefully make everyday items. It is the way things used to be made—by hand and with great care and craft. That care of Lisa's encourages an appreciation of the everyday.

Romaine Begay (Ro) has been a full-time Potter for going on twenty plus years, where he incorporates the traditional Navajo rug weaving designs, traditional stories within his family as well as his experiences as a Native American in today's age into the ceramic pieces that he creates.

As an artist, potter and designer Lindsay Scypta is deeply interested in textile pattern, Victorian etiquette, architectural tracery, and the history of the table. Lindsay began her ceramics investigation in high school and continued into college, completing a BFA in Art & Design from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. For two remarkable summers Lindsay immersed herself in the artist community at Anderson Ranch Art Center as a summer intern, filling her ceramic toolbox with techniques and tools. Finally after two years as an artist-in-residence at Ashland University, Lindsay arrived at The Ohio State University where she completed her MFA in ceramic art. Lindsay was blessed with the opportunity to follow her thesis research to England, where she visited the Wedgwood Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Brighton Palace. Some influences over the past years have been the softness of tufted Victorian sitting room chairs, and the architectural motifs and quatrefoils of European Gothic cathedrals. Following graduate school Lindsay spent one year as an Artist-in-Resident at Clay Art Center in Port Chester, New York. Currently Lindsay is an adjunct ceramics professor at Owens Community College in Perrysburg, Ohio. Working strictly with porcelain clay, the work is thrown, trimmed, altered and decorated, then fired to cone six in an electric oxidation atmosphere. Lindsay ism still continuing to push her ideas and am excited to incorporate new research into her studio practice!

Shelsea is a ceramic sculptor from Binghamton, NY. She received her BFA in Ceramics from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2013, and she was a post baccalaureate student at the University of Alaska Anchorage from 2016 to 2018. Shelsea’s work primarily investigates feminist and queer issues, as well as human/animal relationships and the parallels she perceives between the two. She is currently a long term resident artist at Studio 740 in Helena, MT.

Billy Ritter 77 is a ceramic artist from Cleveland, Ohio. A graduate of Kent State University (MFA), and Slippery Rock University (BFA). For the past five years he has taught and inspired many as a professor of art and ceramics at Cuyahoga Community College. At his Cleveland studio he offers one-on-one tutoring and workshops. Billy exhibits and sells his work at his studio as well as at many artisan markets throughout Northern Ohio. Atmospheric firing, community, and story telling through process, are the focus of his work. His limited editions of functional tablewares and vessels are utilized by chefs, home cooks, photo studios, and collectors both nationally and internationally.

Based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK, Anna Whitehouse's work has evolved from growing up in the region and spending time outdoors. From scrambling over rocks in the Yorkshire Dales to scouring the beach for fossils near Whitby, a love of landscape, natural forms and exploration can be seen echoed in Anna's work. Ultimately Anna aims to create beautiful and intriguing objects that awaken a childlike sense of wonder and appreciation of the natural world.

Joe Robinson is the co-owner and steward of the historic East Creek Anagama wood fired kiln. Nestled on 20 acres in Oregon’s coastal mountains, East Creek is a community art studio and retreat. Joe will share news about the upcoming NW Wood Firing Conference in June 2020, which is being organized by the East Creek team.

Julia Kofman is a full time ceramic artist. Julia works in her home studio in Ramat Gan in Israel. Julia was born in Moscow, and in 2018 she moved to Israel with her husband and children. Julia is selling her works twice a week in Nachlat Binyamin Artists Fair of Tel Aviv, which is a famous street market of handmade, supported by municipality of Tel Aviv.

Lukas Easton is from Homer Alaska. Lukas recieved his BFA from the university of Alaska anchorage. Lukas is currently teaching at the Rochester institute of technology and is an independent designer for Jenggala in Bali Indonesia. In the summers Lukas works in Alaska commercial fishing and this fall will be attending Alfred university for graduate school.

Focusing on fragility and subtle strength, Rhonda Willers creates art with repetitive forms and markings reflecting on memories and nature through diverse materiality. Rhonda is the author of Terra Sigillata: Contemporary Techniques. Rhonda studied at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (BFA) and University of Nebraska-Lincoln (MFA). Rhonda is a studio artist, author, mother, and NCECA Board Steward located in Elk Mound, Wisconsin.

Originally from Hamburg, Germany, stencil artist Anja Bartels discovered pottery making while living in an intentional community in Virginia. Passion ignited, Anja returned home to study in the German Ceramics Guild, which honed her skills in a way much different from the typical experience in American art schools. With a strong focus on craftsmanship and technical skill, Guild training provided Anja with the groundwork for making a quality product paired with the practical experience of working with a master potter for three years. The apprentices must engage in all aspects of the business, including marketing, sales, accounting, and production.

Anja’s nautically themed porcelain employs several different techniques including slip trailing, sgraffito (a technique where underglaze is painted onto greenware and a design is carved back through, revealing the clay body underneath), poured and sprayed glazes, and a unique resist technique used in the making of her beautiful urchin bowls. These bowls are thrown and trimmed on the wheel, then several thousand small slip-trailed spikes are applied using a surgical bulb while she listens to audiobooks about shipwrecks. Anja’s personal aesthetic and process are consistent and highly developed, reflecting her upbringing in a port town and her love of ships and the ocean. It is as if her pieces were born in the sea.

Sharrel Paul was born and raised in a suburb of Boston, MA, but moved to California in her mid-20s. Sharrel decided to move back home in 2013 when she was diagnosed with stage 3/4 metastatic melanoma. Sharrel discovered ceramics in 2014 when she decided to take a class at a local studio as a form of “art therapy” while she was undergoing treatment. Sharrel fell in love with making functional pieces very quickly and then started her journey on Instagram to be able to sell her work and crocheted items.

Benedicte and Jerome Leclere recently left Brooklyn to find a better life balance and spend more time making ceramics. Relocating upstate New York near Woodstock, they just launched their brand called l'Impatience. Both originally from France and always on the look out for new objects to create, the name refers to the eagerness and expectation behind every project (pronounced ‘Lum-puh-see-unce’’). Their style is mainly defined by their tableware collections, elegant and minimalistic, that people can simply appreciate every day. They also enjoy making unique pieces such as vases and bonsai pots, a jewelry collection or even limited clothing items.

We get a real treat in this interview! We head into the classroom of Jerm Wright and spend time with the teacher, and two of his students, Jack Butler and Gage Clisby. This is a great insight into the high school classroom and what the ceramic program is like. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I enjoyed it.

Andrew Linderman is a studio potter and former high school chemistry teacher. Originally from the Twin Cities, Andrew currently living and working in Milwaukee, WI. Andrew makes functional pots to make the best moments in life better, to make the mundane moments more enjoyable, and to make the difficult moments more bearable. Andrew uses his background in chemistry to create glazes that are enhanced by the firing process in which he produces his pots. Recently, Andrew has also explored how the wood-firing process affects the surfaces of his pots. Andrew continually strives to create work in which the functionality of a piece is enhanced by its aesthetic and tactile qualities. Andrew graduated from Luther College (Decorah, IA) in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. Andrew has learned his art and craft primarily from George Lowe during his undergraduate studies, S.C. Rolf post-graduation and wood firing from Simon Levin.. Linderman also teaches classes at Cream City Clay in Milwaukee, WI.

Matt Fiske's work explores the intersection of material, science, and ceramic firing process. Experimentation is an important aspect of Matt's studio practice, and focuses on manipulating common materials using uncommon firing conditions. Matt is inspired by the natural phenomena that occur in mineralogy and geology. In Matt's mind’s eye, glaciers give way to icy celadon glazes, volcanoes ooze magma as glazes cascade down curves and roll off edges, crystals grow when conditions are conducive. Daily life, too, plays an important role in what Matt makes and why. The needs of the kitchen are for Matt, like many potters, a useful starting point for conceiving specific forms. Matt also draws from historical Asian ceramics as well as my experiences living in China and Korea. In the end, Matt strives to synthesize complex glazes and surfaces with objects that are as useful as they are beautiful.

Logan Bishop was born in Louisville, Kentucky. Logan is an emerging artist residing in Louisville, Kentucky.  He received his high school diploma from Saint Xavier High School in 2014.  He received his BFA, emphasis on 3D in ceramics, from the University of Louisville in the spring of 2019. He has had work in displayed at the Cressman Center for Visual Arts for an annual student exhibition show, as well as the Louisville Hite Art Institute Gallery for his thesis exhibition. Logan’s current work explores the nature of the surface of a utilitarian vessel limiting its utility but increasing its visual presence within the space.

Torbjørn Kvasbø lives and works in Venabygd, Norway.  When Torbjørn was a child,  his father said, "For God's sake, never get a regular job.  With those words to encourage him, Torbjørn has pursued his own ambitions and intentions without hesitation.  Clay has been the pursuit that Torbjørn has worked with instead of getting that "regular job". Even Torbjørn's work with clay has been far from "regular".  He approaches clay punches, massage, kneading, rolling, throwing, pressing, stretching, and stamping all the while trying to get clay to become the vision that dances in Torbjørn's own mind.

Aysha Peltz’s pottery explores imagined space, scale and the poetic properties of the ceramic medium. She is a studio potter and faculty at Bennington College in Vermont. Aysha and her husband, Todd Wahlstrom, also own and operate StudioPro Bats. Aysha has taught at a number of schools and art centers including: Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and the Kansas City Art Institute. Aysha's work is in many collections including Huntington Museum of Art, where she received the Walter Gropius Master Award. Aysha received her BFA and MFA from Alfred University.

Ryan W. Kelly has BFA in Ceramics from the Kansas City Art Institute and an MFA from The Ohio State University. Ryan is currently an Assistant Professor of Ceramics and Foundations at Western Washington University. Previously Ryan lived in Philadelphia, where he was a resident artist at The Clay Studio.

Clay Leonard is a ceramics artist who currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Ceramics at the University of Houston – Clear Lake in Houston, Texas. His work has been featured in international and national exhibitions, publications, and in collections including the International Museum of Dinnerware Design in Michigan, Guldagergaard: International Ceramic Research Center in Denmark, and in the National Museum of Slovenia.

Juliette Davin is a wife, mother & potter from Houston, Texas. Juliette received her BFA from The University of Texas in 1990. Juliette took a 4 week intro to pottery class in 1991 and was hooked! Soon after that her husband’s job took us on an incredible adventure to Bangkok, Borneo, Jakarta, Houston, Perth and now back to Houston. Juliette brought a wheel, kiln, and lots of books with her overseas and became a self-taught potter, soaking up knowledge everywhere she could. Juliette now works out of her home studio in Texas. Juliette enjoys every aspect of ceramics but she thinks she's happiest when she has a sharp tool in hand, carving patterns into clay!

Callahan Foose is a emerging ceramic artist living and working in northern Colorado. Callahan is the owner and full time potter at his company, CALLAHAN Ceramics. Callahan focuses most of his attention on creating detailed, one of a kind pieces with an emphasis on surface illustrations and decoration. While most of Callahan’s work is wheel thrown, his style also somethings includes the use of 3D additions or alterations to his forms. Callahan does not adhere to one style for too long; as Callahan admits, his work is ever-changing to fit what he finds interesting or inspiring in the present time.

Kara Leigh Ford is back for her second appearance on The Potters Cast. Last time she talked about Knowing When to Quit the Day Job. This time, along with giving us an update on her life, she also dives into the idea of the importance of having a website as a potter. Some of the main takeaways that I heard Kara talks about was that having a website of your own helps you to find and define who Your customers are. On all other platforms, ultimately the customer belongs to that platform that you are using as the storefront. On your website they are your customers. Another critical point is that having a website helps to build trust. The world is now associating authenticity with having an online home, a website. Kara has much more to say on this and her insights are brilliant.

Emma Connolly is a potter who lives and works in Bedfordshire in the UK. Emma attended pottery classes at night school later in life before setting up her studio in her garden. Emma hand builds organic pieces leaving all the marks made during the process. Emma's designs are inspired by the seasons and each piece has a scene carved by hand or by pressing botanicals into the clay.

Originally from Cedar City, Utah, Brandon Peña is a functional potter currently teaching high school ceramics classes at Box Elder High School in Brigham City, Utah. Brandon received a BFA degree from Utah State University in 2016. Brandon discovered his passion for clay after taking his first ceramics class in high school; he now finds joy being able to share that passion with his own students. Aside from Making pottery, Brandon is an avid skateboarder who puts just as much time and effort into increasing his abilities on the board as he does with making his pots.

Phil Lyons is an artist, musician, and teacher in Madison, Wisconsin. Phil has been teaching ceramics & sculpture for the last 17 years at his alma mater, Madison West High where he replaced the legendary Don Hunt. Phil says, "I run one of the biggest and best high school ceramics studios anywhere!" Phil has an amazing wife (Judy) and three grown, creative sons.

Alana Wilson is a ceramicist based in Sydney, Australia. She has been practicing ceramics for 7 years, since graduating from the National Art School with a BFA (Hons) in 2012. She exhibits regularly both nationally and internationally, most recently in Japan. While most works are essentially contemplative, the ode to traditional forms seeks to honor the nobility of the vessel and it's foremost function alongside an inherent respect of ceramics as a medium. Subtle surface destructions and experimental glazing and firing techniques are a major focus in the studio. Firing to 1260ºC allows the metamorphosis of surface degradation to be captured, appearing to exist in a state of motion and decay, even once cooled. These quiet meditations into the beauty of the decayed utilitarian attempt to captivate and impel the viewer beyond the physicality and functionality of the works.

NCECA 2019 was an amazing conference for clay people from around the world. I met people from Scotland, Russia, New Zealand, Norway, Canada, and of course, the United States. And everyone has one thing in common... Clay! This is the largest conference of its kind in the world. In this episode I interview random attendies of NCECA.

Reiko Mihagi is a native of Japan who got her ceramic education in Tokyo and experience as a studio potter in Mashiko, a renowned pottery town. After moving to the US Reiko experienced new materials and techniques and developed her signature sgraffito stoneware. Reiko work is infused with an appreciation of subtle beauty and the animistic view of the world from her native land. Reiko lives in Western North Carolina and, along with her pottery studio, runs a small market garden with her husband.

Trevor Foster has been working full time with ceramics for the past 10 years. Trevor has a BFA in Ceramics from the University of Washington were he studied under Akio Takamori and Doug Jeck. He operated a delft ceramics factory in Seattle for 2 years as an apprentice to Charles Kraftt. Trevor currently operates a ceramics studio in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Trevor's ceramics have been exhibited in 6 different countries over the past 2 years.

Rachel Love graduated from Western Washington University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mixed Media.  Though Rachel's core focus while enrolled was printmaking, fibers, and photography, she prepared herself for a multitude of creative avenues by taking many other courses in almost every other branch of artistic expression the institution offered.  As time has gone on and experiences and families have grown, Rachel currently devotes a majority of her time to her family and young daughters but has still been able to enrich and expand her business which can be found online under the name of High Yield Studio.  Rachel is preparing for an exciting 2019, where she will continue to utilize her mixed media skills and expand on her true love and biggest interest which is creating ceramic pieces.

Lydia Johnson is a ceramic artist and designer who works full time in her studio in Manchester, Connecticut. Lydia's work has been exhibited across the country at galleries such as The Clay Studio, Northern Clay Center, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Lillstreet Gallery, and Artstream Nomadic Gallery. Lydia was the recipient of the 2017 Individual Artist Fellowship from the Tennessee Arts Commission. This spring, Lydia will be a demonstrating artist at the Florida Heat symposium and showing work in Tokyo, Japan, and at the Architectural Design Digest show in New York City.

Julia Smith is a potter based in the Highlands of Scotland. Julia has a home studio and produces illustrated ceramics and one off pots for exhibitions. Julia uses earthenware, decals, and studio made layered glazes. Julia has an online sale once a month and sell at events throughout the UK.

Laurie Caffery Harris grew up in Boone, North Carolina, a small town surrounded by the peaks and valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains. From a young age she was compelled to work with her hands, watching her mother, a professional painter. On weekends Laurie spent time in the woods with her father, where she learned to identify mountain ranges and types of trees. Encouraged by her creative parents, Laurie grew up passionately exploring different medias, primarily painting and drawing. It wasn’t until beginning college that Laurie settled on a medium: clay. Four years later, Laurie received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in ceramics at Appalachian State University in May 2014. Laurie is currently an Artist in Residence at Odyssey Clayworks in Asheville, North Carolina where she continues to create and evolve her work. 

Carrie Whalen, mother of four, from Kingston, Ontario, has been studying, creating, and teaching art for over 30 years. Carrie is an award winning design graduate with diplomas in fine arts and fashion design; she represented Canada twice on the international stage in fashion. Carrie has been running Y.A.K (Young Artists of Kingston) art camps for children for 24 years. Over the past three years, while unschooling her two daughters. Carrie has been doing an independent study in ceramics making whimsical, colorful, sometime highly detail, small functional forms.

Tuile is a 9 year old unschooled girl artist.  Tuile has been drawing, painting and making clay sculptures since she's been able to hold a pencil, paintbrush, and ball of clay.  Tuile is passionate about everything she does.  Tuile loves imaginative play, animals, is passionate about global warming, chemistry, science, animal rights and is a young feminist.  Tuile is currently spending her time learning how to make mugs in her own creative way.

Emily May is most at home while she is in the studio. Emily is an emerging, multidisciplinary artist from Vancouver, British Columbia who communicates her ideas mainly through ceramics but will also include sculpture, painting, film, performance, and collaborative work. Emily's love for clay came accidentally when she enrolled in art school with the hopes of becoming a painter. In April 2016, Emily received her Fine Arts Diploma from Langara College and she is currently residing in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she transferred to NSCAD University. Emily is hoping to complete her BFA with a major in Ceramics this year (2019). 

Jon Schmidt is a potter, entrepreneur, adventurer, videographer, photographer, father, and husband. Jon began his pottery adventures in 2010 when he took his first wheel throwing class at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, MN.  Jon graduated with a Business management degree. Jon combined his passion for handmade pottery and entrepreneurship skills to purchase the coffee shop, Mocha Monkey in 2011, at 21 years old.   Since then, Mocha Monkey has grown from 1 store and 18 employees to 3 locations, and over 50 employees.  Mocha Monkey uses and sells all handmade Jon Schmidt pottery.  Jon has spent most of his time honing the pottery business, being a husband and father to his 18 month old son, Ryder and seeking out the next adventure.

Hannah Bould is a potter who lives and works in North London. Hannah initially studied Illustration at Camberwell college of Art and went on to work in Fine Art printmaking, before getting involved with clay in 2012. Hannah now works full time from her garden studio making functional, wheel thrown, stoneware ceramics. Hannah’s work is primarily monochromatic and she mostly works with wax resist, focusing on geometric bold shapes and expressive painterly marks.