The Potters Cast

Danielle Lane & Lara Irwin's Instagram profile says, Two besties throwing like girls. And that explains their relationship perfectly- Danielle and Lara are best friends who make pottery together in Victoria, BC Canada. It all started when Danielle and Lara decided to buy a potters wheel together. Now they are making ceramics together and they wouldn't have it any other way. https://ThePottersCast.com/1116

Matt Wassenaar makes pottery all year long and sells it for 7 weekends at his booth in the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. After meeting Warren MacKenzie decades ago Matt took to heart his philosophy - make pottery for function and affordability. In 2001 Matt and his wife bought a booth at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and started selling their work. Selling at the festival has turned into sales of 2,100 pots in 7 weekends. https://ThePottersCast.com/1115

GiAnna Orangio is a hobby potter based in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. Her brand, Evil Eye Pottery is a collection of vases that she creates on the pottery wheel in her home studio. GiAnna shares her ceramic journey and creations on social media (links below). https://ThePottersCast.com/1114

Anita & Neil Lawrence met in art school back in the late 80's and have been carving out a living together ever since. When Anita and Neil first graduated from art school they did various jobs on Vancouver Island in British Colombia to make ends meet. Eventually they bought a production studio, opened a restaurant, and lately a gallery studio. https://ThePottersCast.com/1113

Sarah Gromek is a high school jewelry & metalworking teacher. Sarah started ceramics eight years ago and now has her own small business. Sarah's studio is in her dining room and she sells her work online and through galleries. https://ThePottersCast.com/1112

Heather Elyse Head, a Northeast Georgia potter, blends traditional folk pottery with vibrant glazes and whimsical female faces. Mentored by esteemed regional potters, Heather's playful creations bring a modern twist to the craft. Her favorite part? Seeing her work makes people smile. https://ThePottersCast.com/1111

Eric Rempe first touched clay when he was in high school in Lancaster, PA. Eric has a BFA in ceramics from Penn State University and an MFA in ceramics from San Diego State University. Eric now lives in Princeton, NJ and he teaches ceramics at Princeton Day School. https://ThePottersCast.com/1110

NCECA is around the corner. NCECA is the largest art conference around and the event takes a massive amount of effort to make it happen. In today's episode we spend time with three amazing artists who helped to make this year's conference happen. Our guests, PJ Anderson, Antra Sinha, and Dara Hartman, have spent the last two years organizing, planning, and now executing in order to make this year's conference take place. https://ThePottersCast.com/1109

Shoji Satake, born in Kyoto, Japan and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, earned a BA in Studio Art and Government from The College of William and Mary (1996) and an MFA from Indiana University (2004). He is an associate professor of ceramics at Rhode Island School of Design. Shoji is also president of the NCECA Board of Directors. His work has been exhibited internationally. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and fly fishing. https://ThePottersCast.com/1108

Emilie Bouvet-Boisclair is a Canadian born artist living in Illinois. Emilie's approach to pottery is formed by a past of learning to throw with a production potter, and being immersed in the community studios of Chicago. Emilie has been a painter in her youth through her mid 20's, holding a BA in Fine Art from the State University of New York, Geneseo. Emilie's passion in the arts lies in the process of discovery. https://ThePottersCast.com/1107

Born in Berlin, Karoline Menge moved to Italy with her partner in 2021. Studied literature and writing, started making pottery in 2015 when she was still at Uni, did small jobs to be able to continue making pottery. Karoline opened her own studio in 2018 and started working full time as a potter. Now Karoline works in her studio in a small village called Bogliasco at the Ligurian coast in Italy. https://ThePottersCast.com/1106

Clare Unger uses hand stitching as a means of mark making on clay slabs to create ceramic vessels for domestic use. In this way Clare pays homage to her female ancestors for whom sewing and stitching was an important means of creative self-expression in their role as home makers. https://ThePottersCast.com/1105

Francine Hampson and John Ried are the owners of Mudpuppy Studios, a production pottery studio producing functional ware. The studio wares are mainly thrown on the potter's wheel with alterations and additions done by hand building. The clay is high fire stoneware fired in a 15cu. ft. gas kiln introducing salt/soda at 2350F. The effects are spectacular but unpredictable. The wares are sold locally on Salt Spring Island through the Waterfront Gallery or Artcraft/ Wintercraft shows. https://ThePottersCast.com/1104

Rita Vali creates joyful pottery that blends modern design with a mid-century vibe, inspired by her love of the intricate details she finds in nature. Rita makes her pottery with others in mind, as she believes people are connected through the use and display of thoughtfully hand-crafted objects. Rita's career as an artist is made full by teaching various classes where she shares my craft. https://ThePottersCast.com/1103

Yesha Panchal was born in Gujarat, India, and is currently living in Suwanee, GA. Yesha earned her BFA with a concentration in ceramics at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. Yesha is currently a ceramics studio manager at the Hudgens Center for Art in Duluth, GA, an organizer of the Clay to Table, serves on the board of NCECA, and is a maker. Yesha's article "Working Potter" and work were published in "Thoughts on Collaboration" in the June/July/August 2022 issue of Ceramics Monthly https://ThePottersCast.com/1102

As a sensitive and intuitive person, working with clay is a perfect fit for John Ellefson. Clay slabs are minutely sensitive to the slightest touch, allowing John to create the subtle forms that he loves. It's incredibly satisfying for John to breathe life into clay through touch. https://ThePottersCast.com/1101

Erin Louise Clancy is a ceramic artist based in Queens, New York, with over 25 years of restaurant experience and a BFA in printmaking. Focusing on collaborative custom work, Erin's pieces unite these influences with functional design. http://ThePottersCast.com/1100

Rachael Sewell is a ceramic artist and candle maker based near Bristol, in the South West of England. After graduating in 2020 with a degree in Buying and Merchandising, Rachael combined her business acumen with her creative passions, launching a line of sculptural candles in 2021. Driven by a desire to explore new mediums, Rachael soon discovered her love for pottery during an intensive course, which ignited her current practice in ceramics. Rachael's work is a playful yet thoughtful exploration of artistry and everyday utility. https://ThePottersCast.com/1099

Jennifer Waverek has 30+ years of experience in brand strategy and graphic design, working both in-house and as a principle partner in her own creative agency. Jennifer is worked for fortune 500 companies such as Martha Stewart Living, Clinique, and Donna Karan to local boutiques and art collectives. Jennifer holds a BA in Visual Arts and Art History from Columbia University. Jennifer has shown work in the disciplines of painting, printmaking, graphic design, and handbuilt ceramics. Jennifer is the creative director and brand strategist behind BKLYN CLAY. https://ThePottersCast.com/1098

Until age 40 Andrew Cooke was a car body repair technician until he was forced out of his career due to being diagnosed with arthritis. Andrew then went back to art as therapy and, after a foundation in fine and applied art, Andrew completed his degree in 2013 in University of Ulster in Belfast. https://ThePottersCast.com/1097

Terri Kern received her MFA in 1991. Terri left teaching to open her own studio. Terri has exhibited internationally, been featured in ceramics publications, received awards, artist grants, nominations, started a teaching website, had work on the Great Pottery Throw Down, and is now showing at the Taft Museum of Art. https://ThePottersCast.com/1096

Hannah Simpson Studio, established in 2020, serves as a creative haven for Hannah Simpson, providing an escape from the demands of everyday life. For Hannah, creativity has long been a therapeutic outlet, allowing her to navigate and control her emotions. With her work, Hannah aims to spread joy to others. https://ThePottersCast.com/1095

Shana Salaff is a potter, painter, writer, and teacher who lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she teaches at Front Range Community College. Originally from Toronto, Shana has also lived, worked, and studied in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Fullerton, California. Shana has participated in residencies in Fort Colllins, Bali, and Maine. https://ThePottersCast.com/1094

Jonathan Walberg's techniques and methods are influenced by his apprenticeship at St. John's Pottery in Minnesota (2004-06) under Richard Bresnahan, studies in Karatsu, Japan (2006-10) and in Ulsan, Korea (2010). These experiences nurtured a love of clay, the use of local materials, clay history, and wood-kilns. Jonathan creates on a Japanese-style wooden kick wheel and processes local clays and ashes for pottery use just south of Bayfield in Washburn, WI. Jonathan uses beach-sand from the South Shores of Lake Superior mixed into porcelain. This creates random black spots from the iron-rich sand. The local clay is also iron-rich and is mixed into the clay or glaze creating rich dark greens, reds, browns and blacks. Jonathan makes traditional ash-glazes from local Maple and Oak trees. https://ThePottersCast.com/1093

Alexandria Mente is the owner of Alexandria Pottery Co. and offers a unique collection of pottery tools for the budding artist or the seasoned potter. From forms to function, Alexandria Pottery Co. knows you will find the tools to make the things you love! Both Alex and her husband are blessed to have their children spend time in studio and helping with tools, which makes Alexandria Pottery Co. a true family business. Alex loves making a wide range of work on the wheel and by slab. You'll find texture and inspirations from nature in Alex's work. Alex's family loves to serve the pottery community and hopes their tools inspire you to make something amazing! https://ThePottersCast.com/1092

Rebecca Graves Prowse, founder of Gravesco Pottery, traded her 20-year corporate retail career for a pottery wheel in 2010. From her Indianapolis studio, she crafts modern, functional ceramics that blend classic design with handmade character. Her background in retail design influences her aesthetic, creating pieces that enhance daily rituals and become cherished heirlooms for collectors nationwide. https://ThePottersCast.com/1091

Benjamin Cornelius is a 23 year old amateur ceramicist based in Louisville, Kentucky. Benjamin started working with clay two years ago and became obsessed with the idea of building fully articulating sculptures. Benjamin's work so far has been very iterative, implementing simple mechanisms to establish fundamentals for his process. https://ThePottersCast.com/1090

David Swenson is ceramist and instructor from Clearwater, MN. In 2009, David moved to Minnesota from Rhode Island, and works in the Twin Cities area teaching workshops and ceramics in community education. David's work is embellished with motifs and techniques inspired by history, folk arts, textiles, and medieval art, while maintaining a modern aesthetic. https://ThePottersCast.com/1089

Auguste Yung is a half-Chinese, half-Swedish ceramicist working out of Los Angeles California. Auguste melds wheel throwing and hand building to create unique textures and forms inspired by nature. Despite a winding path that included studying international relations and then working in TV development, Auguste found his true passion when he stumbled upon ceramics during the pandemic. https://ThePottersCast.com/1088

Michael Corney was raised in the greater Los Angeles Metropolitan area where he was influenced by the bright colors of nature and the vibrant cultures that surrounded him. Michael received his BA from Cal State University Fullerton and his MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art. While primarily a studio potter, Michael has taught workshops at Anderson Ranch, Penland School of Crafts and Santa Fe Clay. He has participated in shows at Santa Fe Clay (NM), Northern Clay Center (MN), The Schaller Gallery (MI) and Akar Design Gallery (IA) Michael is currently a working artist in San Miguel De Allende, Mexico! https//ThePottersCast.com/1087

Paula Murray studied science at the University of Ottawa, Canada, ceramics at Sheridan College, and completed two residencies at the Banff Centre before embarking on a successful career. Elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (2006) and the International Academy of Ceramics (2017), she has received several Canada Council and CALQ grants for her distinctive work. Paula's full-time studio practice is inspired by her close relationship with nature and the years spent sailing between Canada and South America while raising her two children. Her ongoing study of spiritual writings inspires many of the themes explored in her work. https://ThePottersCast.com/1086

Tim Kowalczyk is back. Tim has been on The Potters Cast a few times over the years. This time he is back to talk about the importance of social media. http://ThePottersCast.com/1085

Shaylise Sylvester is an artist who lives in Fairbanks, Alaska, where she was born and raised. Shaylise discovered her passion for ceramics during her undergraduate studies and has been honing her skills for three years now. Shaylise is currently exploring and studying the history of ceramics, looking at historical artifacts, and finding her voice through her work. Shaylise tends to focus on wheel throwing but also enjoys the freedom of form that hand-building allows. Shaylise work is primarily functional at the moment, and she is interested in the development and history of functional pots. She also enjoys the idea of creating a functional pot that is unique and beautiful in shape. Shaylise had taught ceramics in California and now teaches at a local community studio in Fairbanks. Shaylise is currently a ceramics student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is preparing a portfolio for graduate school. https://ThePottesCast.com/1084

From her earliest memory Natalie Miller has loved making art. As a young adult Natalie took a break from art, focussing more on working with horses. In her mid 30's Natalie was hit with an overwhelming drive to create again. Natalie started with pen drawings and painting, before taking her first pottery class at Station Gallery in Whitby. From the very first class she was hooked. It was everything I'd ever hoped it would be. Natalie is very much inspired by Mid Century Modern, Scandinavian design, clean lines, and bold colour palettes. Natalie lives with her partner and their two cats in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada. http://ThePottersCast.com/1083

Craig Britton & Brittany Whitaker are ceramic artists currently residing on San Juan Island, WA. Craig and Britt's collaborative work is inspired by nature and often includes hand-painted flora & fauna motifs. However, Craig's current body of work explores texture, materiality, and the creation process. http://ThePottersCast.com/1082

Morgan Peck is a ceramicist living in Los Angeles. Morgan's namesake ceramic company, started in 2011, includes mirrors, lamps, sculptures, and vases all made in her backyard studio. Peck's work continues in the footsteps of the studio potters that preceded her and she makes note of numerous styles, hinting at the Memphis Group, the Bauhaus, and Art Deco. Sometimes reproducing the forms of Venetian glass and the splotchy surfaces of 19th century spongeware, she moves through these references with a modest, considered, and decidedly modern touch. https://ThePottersCast.com/1081

Clark County Open Studios is a juried show that takes place throughout Clark County in Southwest Washington. Each year 50 artist are chosen to participate along with 3 emerging artists. This year my wife, Jennifer and I were accepted into the show along with a number of other ceramic artists. Jennifer and I hosted an "after party" with a few of the other ceramic artists to talk about the event. https://ThePottersCast.com/1080

Today we are talking with Melissa Weiss. She has been on The Potters Cast twice before- Melissa's second appearance was in episode 624 in which we talked about her book she had just released, and her first was in episode 183 where we got to hear her story of setting up a community studio. In today's episode we now hear her story of going through the hurricane, Helene through which she lost her studio. In the picture below you will see a photo from her Instagram feed where you can see the roof of her studio circled in red and the waters completely engulfing the building. https://ThePottersCast.com/1079

Hurricane Helene was devastating for so many people. Many potters were hit very hard with the storm. Mudtools, founded by Michael Sherrill, was hit so hard that their building was swept away as the waters rose. In todays episode, Michael tells his story of the storm. https://ThePottersCast.com/1078

Tamara "Solem" Al-Issa is a Syrian/Filipina Toronto-based sculptural artist with a focus on conveying preservation of time. Solem's work pulls from memories of the architecture and practices within SWANA and Southeast Asia through exploring familiar shapes, colours and textures from these regions. The Deep Blue series presents hand-built traditional shapes in a custom mixed cobalt blue which is a colour that evokes a familiar sense of nostalgia and wistfulness. In the SWANA region, the colour blue (particularly turquoise) is known to have mystical and protective qualities. http://ThePottersCast.com/1077

Peacefully working from her home studio on Vancouver Island, Karen Dance pursues her desire to create out-of-the-ordinary pottery pieces. Karen is inspired by the human form, natural movement, expressive features, and all the wonders found in nature. With over 35 years as an artist in many mediums, it was the melding of Karen's education at CMU Creature design and prosthetics along with Ceramics training at Sheridan college that led her on this path of exploration. http://ThePottersCast.com/1076

Michael Bridges is a potter living in Chicago, Illinois. Michael is a hand builder that identifies as a wheel thrower. Skulls, jack-o-lanterns, and spookiness are right at home in Michael's work. http://ThePottersCast.com/1075

Dennis Blatchley is a ceramic artist living and making in Cornwall, United Kingdom. Dennis makes a wide range of slipcast terracotta tableware with a distinct matt finish. Dennis' work comes in a choice of colours, that can be 'mixed and matched' to create a variety of exciting colour combinations. http://ThePottersCast.com/1074

Sarah Chatawanich has been a working artist for over 20 years within a wide range of disciplines. Sarah's current work focuses on the Japanese art of nerikomi. Sarah mixes stains with porcelain to create colored clays, which are then layered into blocks and sliced through to reveal unique patterns. Sarah's pieces are sanded at various stages and polished to create smooth, vibrantly colored surfaces. http://ThePottersCast.com/1073

Samuel Newman, founder of Suay Ceramics, is a Portland-based potter who draws inspiration from his Pennsylvania roots and the values of community and craftsmanship. Samuel's dynamic forms and atmospheric firings capture the creative journey, offering functional wares that foster meaningful connection and introspection through shared daily experiences. http://ThePottersCast.com/1072

Maria Loram is a ceramic artist, born in Russia, and is now based in California. Art has been Maria's lifelong companion, and despite a detour into linguistics at Moscow State University and a subsequent move to LA, she has now built a career in private tutoring. Maria's core fascination with art's power to explore and understand the world remained dormant yet undiminished. The turning point came with a divorce, which serendipitously guided Maria back to art, Eastern philosophies, and meditation practice. In 2022, a pottery wheel from Facebook marked the rebirth of her artistic journey through the medium of ceramics. Diving into classes and workshops led by renowned ceramicists like Tortus and Moondobang, Maria has embraced the endless possibilities of shape, texture, and color. http://ThePottersCast.com/1071

Don Katz is a blind potter based in Los Angeles, California. Don became blind due to bacterial meningitis in 2001. After waking up from a month-long coma he had to relearn to walk and feed himself and adjust to his sightless reality. What began as an introductory pottery course at The Braille Institute of Los Angeles, has now become Katz's obsession. Don's ceramics teacher once told him as he struggled on the wheel that "you are stronger than dirt," words he lives by today. Don appreciates feeling the clay take shape on the potter's wheel and how the touch informs the form. He enjoys creating unique handmade functional and decorative ceramic objects. http://ThePottersCast.com/1070

Brenton Duhan grew up between North Carolina and Kandern, Germany--home to two distinct and rich pottery traditions. Brenton studied at Brown University and RISD in Providence, practiced museum exhibit design in DC, and gave tours and made ceramics in New Orleans before moving to New Haven, Connecticut. Brenton is currently maintaining a ceramic practice while studying architecture at Yale University. http://ThePottersCast.com/1069

Peggy Quinn specializes in the creation of exquisite, one-of-a-kind, and limited quantity production craft pottery. Peggy's unique pieces blend functionality with elegance, enhancing both living spaces, and everyday living. Each creation is meticulously handcrafted, showcasing Peggy's expertise as a skilled potter and her unwavering passion for the art of pottery making. http://ThePottersCast.com/1068

Megan Shawkey is a potter in central North Carolina whose work focuses on a modern functional style. With over a decade of wheel throwing experience, her work explores themes of contrast through rounded forms with geometric surface design and bright bold glaze colors. http://ThePottersCast.com/1067