Tales of a Red Clay Rambler: A pottery and ceramic art podcast

This week we start a series featuring artists chosen for the 16th Annual Workhouse Clay International. I was honored to jury the show this year and wanted to highlight a selection of the artists that submitted exceptional work to the exhibition. Today I talk with Chelsea McMaster and Stephen Earp. In our interview we discuss the technical and conceptual aspects of their studio practices and the role of the artist in cultural evolution. To coincide with the exhibition, I'll be teaching a two-day hands-on workshop at the Workhouse Arts Center April 11th and 12th. There will also be a live taping of the podcast and reception April 11th that is free to the public. If you are in the greater DC area I'd love to see you there. Have you checked out the Tales from the Vault podcast feed? Become a supporter on Patreon to gain access to dozens of episodes that are no longer available on major podcast apps. To make your donation go to patreon.com/redclayrambler. Today's episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: Monkey Stuff www.monkeystuff.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com

Sam Briegel layers slip cast, printed, and painted fabric patterns on elegant porcelain forms. In our interview we talk about the vessel as a metaphor for the body, the challenges of working with halloysite clays, and how her decorative process has become more refined over time. Sam will be presenting new work as part of this year's Princeton Pottery Festival happening May 2nd and 3rd 2026. www.samanthabriegel.com Have you checked out the Tales from the Vault podcast feed? Become a supporter on Patreon to gain access to dozens of episodes that are no longer available on major podcast apps. To make your donation go to patreon.com/redclayrambler. Today's episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: Monkey Stuff www.monkeystuff.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com

This week on the podcast we return to our series More than a Maker, which focuses on the intersection of mental health and creativity. Today's guest Mike Griffin is based in Naples, NY where he has dual careers as a golf pro and ceramic artist. In our interview we talk about his hand building process, the ways creativity counter balances ADHD, and dealing with self-doubt in the studio. Mike is also the host of Between Two Ewers, a video podcast where he interviews ceramic artists while they make work together. Today's episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: Monkey Stuff www.monkeystuff.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program www.snowfarm.org

After starting her career as a wholesale potter Erin Lambers moved back to her home town and bought a ceramic supply store. In our interview we talk about her philosophy of blending education and sales, the practical aspects of running a store with 6,000 products, and how to set up a business for the long haul. Lambers has run Cornell Studio Supply for the last fifteen years, and the store celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year. www.cornellstudiosupply.com Today's episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: Monkey Stuff www.monkeystuff.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program www.snowfarm.org

After many years as a functional potter Lisa Naples has embraced figurative and nonobjective sculpture. In our interview we discuss how she anthropomorphizes animals to show shifting relationships and identities, as well as the use of gold as a way to embody the divine in her recent exhibition Grounded in Gold. The exhibition was on display this fall at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, PA. www.lisanaples.com Today's episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: Monkey Stuff www.monkeystuff.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program www.snowfarm.org

Beth Lo and Julia Galloway are artists and educators that have helped shape ceramic education at the University of Montana. In our interview we talk about their approach to narrative, moving between bodies of work, and the value of taking on long term projects. They will be co-teaching a workshop next month at the Morean Workshop Space in St. Petersburg, FL. www.bethlo.com juliagalloway.com moreanworkshopspace.org Today's episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: Monkey Stuff www.monkeystuff.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com

David Eichelberger's career has included time as a studio potter, professor, designer, and community educator. Today we focus on his personal studio practice hand-building serving platters and his role as designer for Two/One Ceramics alongside his wife, artist Elisa Di Feo. In our interview we discuss how working with bisque ring molds allows him to bring a new level of attention to his forms, as well as the collaborative aspects of design. In addition to his studio practice Eichelberger is the director of the Marlboro Studio School offering craft instruction in Marlboro, VT. twooneceramics.com I'm happy to be serving as juror for the 16th Annual Workhouse Clay International Exhibition. The exhibition highlights functional and sculptural ceramic artwork being created throughout the US and abroad. To be considered submit your entry by January 11th. Today's episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: Monkey Stuff www.monkeystuff.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com

Wayne Higby and Benjamin Evans co-curated the retrospective History: A Legacy in Motion, Alfred Ceramic Art 1900 – 2025, which showcases twenty-six artists that have taught ceramics at Alfred University. In our interview we talk about Charles Binns and the early days of Alfred ceramics, as well as the contributions the school and its faculty have made to the development of studio ceramics in America. Higby taught ceramics at Alfred for more than five decades and was the Director and Principal Curator of the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum that was completed in 2016. Evans now directs the museum, which fulfills its mission through rotating exhibitions and stewardship of a vast ceramic collection. I'm happy to be serving as juror for the 16th Annual Workhouse Clay International Exhibition. The exhibition highlights functional and sculptural ceramic artwork being created throughout the US and abroad. To be considered submit your entry by January 11th. Today's episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: Monkey Stuff www.monkeystuff.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com

Aysha Peltz stretches and darts porcelain into volumetric forms, which she then enhances with glazes that pool and break off high points. In today's interview we talk about pushing porcelain to its limits, learning to self-edit, and the symbiotic relationship between her studio practice and teaching at Bennington College, VT. We also discuss her role in cocurating The Old Church Pottery Show, happening December 5th-7th, in Demarest, NJ. www.ayshapeltz.com I'm happy to be serving as juror for the 16th Annual Workhouse Clay International Exhibition. The exhibition highlights functional and sculptural ceramic artwork being created throughout the US and abroad. To be considered submit your entry by January 11th. Today's episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: Monkey Stuff www.monkeystuff.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com

Josh Copus's career started in ceramics with a focus on functional pottery made with wild North Carolina clays and wood firing. In recent years his creativity has evolved into many forms of entrepreneurship, including hotel and restaurant ownership and founding an artist collective. In our interview we talk about his roots in Floyd, VA and how studio ceramics helped him understand the principles of business. We also discuss the impact of Hurricane Helene, which devastated Marshall, NC, Copus's home town and hub of his business. www.joshcopus.com Today's episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: Monkey Stuff www.monkeystuff.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com