Makoto Fujimura (b. 1960, Boston) is a leading contemporary artist whose process driven, refractive “slow art” has been described by David Brooks of New York Times as “a small rebellion against the quickening of time”. Makoto is also an arts advocate, writer, and speaker who is recognized worldwide as a cultural influencer. A Presidential appointee to the National Council on the Arts from 2003-2009, Fujimura served as an international advocate for the arts, speaking with decision makers and advising governmental policies on the arts. Makoto  is also launching the Kintugi Academy. Makoto uses Kintsugi as an metaphor mending.

The knowledge Frank Eagar has gained through not only producing art, but teaching art, and has broadened his knowledge regarding how and why art has been produced through the centuries. As a ceramic artist all of Frank's pieces from a simple cup to a sculpture are a small representation of both himself and his experiences. Teaching art has given Frank the privilege to increase others knowledge and appreciation of art, by showing and teaching the depth of being that goes into the creation of individual pieces. As a ceramicist, Frank believes in producing both functional as well as sculptural pieces. The beauty and simplicity of functional ware is timeless, and yet still carries the fingerprint of its creator long after he is gone. Frank also enjoys making 3D ceramic sculptures. Though these are a more complex representation of Frank, he enjoys creating these pieces from birdbaths, to fountains, even to a figurative sculpture because of the versatile qualities of the clay. Frank always enjoys experimenting with shape, pattern, color, and form in my pottery. Currently, the distortion of basic shapes and play upon its actual or created lines either in a whimsical or obtuse manner are a recent creative focus of Frank.

Laurence André is a french potter living and working in Manigod, a small village located in Northern French Alps. Laurence settled her studio in the old walls of an old cheese dairy farm. Being into clay for 10 years now, working a white clay on the wheel or on plaster molds, Laurence is happy to imagine and produce small batch of tableware ceramics, slipware decorated one-of-a-kind pieces with folk patterns, flowers & animals that form merry different collections. Laurence is a self-taught, learning through experience - which she in turn is passing on during clay workshops in her studio.

Teppi is the creator of The Perfect Apron. Teppi wanted a better answer to cleaning and keeping her hands dry. Teppi's creation  is the best solution to staying clean and dry during all pottery sessions!  Teppi made sure that The Perfect Apron is eco friendly so it eliminates the need for paper towels. It can also be used for cooking, grading, and other messy tasks!

Hannah Shipway has worked as a professional potter for the past five years. Hannah has her own studios in Oxford, England, and also in Dorset on the South Coast of England. Hannah makes wheel-thrown, functional tableware in small batches, all of which are sold exclusively from the iconic Albatross Cafe in Bristol.

Brandy Green & Michelle Castro | Episode 615

Today is a special release day. Instead of releasing two episodes on Tuesday and Thursday, The Potters Cast is releasing both of this week's episode on Tuesday. As a result of NCECA 2020 conference getting canceled this year, the normal process of NCECA having a dedicated time of having the candidates for the Director at Large and the Student Director at Large share about what they would bring to the position and then to answer questions from the audience wasn't available. These two episodes are the replacement platform to allow these fine candidates to share their stories. In this second episode we are going to dedicate this to the position of Student Director at Large. These two candidates, Brandy Green and Michelle Castro, will be the second to go. 

Today is a special release day. Instead of releasing two episodes on Tuesday and Thursday, The Potters Cast is releasing both of this week's episode on Tuesday. As a result of NCECA 2020 conference getting canceled this year, the normal process of NCECA having a dedicated time of having the candidates for the Director at Large and the Student Director at Large share about what they would bring to the position and then to answer questions from the audience wasn't available. These two episodes are the replacement platform to allow these fine candidates to share their stories. In this first episode we are going to dedicate this to the position of Director at Large. These two candidates, Simon Levin and Cat Traen, will be the first to go. 

A little about the process. I invited all four to schedule an time with me. The recordings were done on a "first come, first served" basis. And then they were put together in the same manner. I hope you enjoy these conversations. 

Shae Bishop earned his BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute. Shae's artwork explores the relationships between ceramics and textiles. Shae has been a resident artist at The Archie Bray Foundation, Red Star Studios, and elsewhere in the US, as well as in Indonesia, Turkey, and Hungary.

More than anything else Lucy Ernst is an environmental artist. Lucy started out sculpting with bones and ‘dead things’ and then moved into clay when she discovered the idea of wild clay. With her work Lucy wants to force people to open their eyes to the environment around them, to the wild things, and to change how they see their world, their everyday!

This year's NCECA that was slated to take place in Richmond, Virginia had to be cancelled as a result of the covid-19 pandemic. In this bonus episode of The Potters Cast the executive director, Josh Green and a few of the board member, Board Steward Rhonda Willers, Current President Holly Hanessian, and incoming President Elect Pete Pinell all got on a conference call with me to tell their story of how NCECA is doing. After the introductions we talked about three things- How they came to their decision and its impact, what is going on currently and in the future with NCECA, and how we as a community can help.