American Pottery Festival 2018

Northern Clay Center

American Pottery Festival

2018 : September 7 – 9

20th Annual

cover: Alisa Holen Evansville, IN Aversion Therapy Cheese Server 18AH029 $200 Holen’s Studio Playlist 1 U Don’t Dans 2 Tekno Anymore Alabama 3 2 Late In The Evening Paul Simon 3 Delirious Prince 4 Kiss Prince and the Revolution 5 Swingin’ Party The Replacements Ellie Bryan (as Tina Turner) Jerome Ceramic Artist-in-Residence

Welcome to Northern Clay Center’s 20th annual fundraising benefit and celebration of notable clay makers in this country. The American Pottery Festival is a three-day event highlighting the immeasurable talent, the commitment, and the epic chops of your favorite ceramic artists and some icons in the making.

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Steven Godfrey Anchorage, AK Honey Goose Jar 18SG005 NFS

What is the American Pottery Festival (APF)?

Fundraiser: First and foremost, APF is Northern Clay Center’s annual fundraiser. All contributions and NCC’s portion of the purchase of work, created by this year’s chorus of APF artists, supports NCC’s programs that advance the ceramic arts.

Exhibition and Sale: APF launches each year with a Preview Show in the spring in the sales gallery and online over the summer season. Annually, NCC invites a group of artists whose wares represent an array of aesthetics and materials — from rhythmic textures and forms; to layered fugues of slips, glazes, and relatable stories; to the crescendo of wood-fired surfaces. The APF culminates each year in September with a three-day weekend sale of over 1500 of the country’s best pots created by your favorite break-out clay artists, as well as some hall of famers in the making.

Conference: 21 of this year’s invited artists will attend APF to participate in artist-led conversations, workshops, demonstrations, and a riff of gallery talks during, and in the days surrounding, this pottery jam session. One and two-day pre-festival workshops are available to those wanting a more concentrated overlap with specific artists; these wrap up in time for the Opening Night party. Saturday and Sunday bring a full schedule of panel discussions and masterful demonstrations as part of a special Workshop Pass, available

for purchase both online and at the door. Artist lectures take place all weekend and are always included with your $5 admission at the door. APF promises to be a weekend filled with rollicking interactions between artists, students, collectors, and groupies of clay from across America. For conference details, please see page 14.

Collector Adventure: The APF weekend offers a VIP private tour of the ceramic arts in the Twin Cities and special access to all APF events. Whether you are an experienced and storied collector, a student of the medium, or simply want a peek into some of the most noteworthy collections and private ceramic studios in our area, the Collector Adventure is your gig. You’ll venture through private collections and artist studios, as well as attend demonstrations and a private cocktail party with this year’s APF artists. For additional information, please see page 16.

Community: Above all else, APF is a moment to come together to build up and to celebrate the studio pottery tradition in the United States. Over the last 20 years, it has evolved into a revered tradition steeped in depth of talent, breadth of knowledge, and the generosity of artists, buyers, fans, hosts, educators, volunteers, sponsors, staff, neighbors, and our board of directors.

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David Peters Helena, MT Crucible 18DP030 $600 Peters’ Studio Playlist 1 Good Man Josh Ritter 2 Bring It On Home To Me Sam Cooke 3 Down The Road Steve Earle 4 Queen Bee Taj Mahal 5 Into the Mystic Van Morrison

Joseph D.R. OLeary (as George Michael) Photographer & Designer

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David Peters Helena, MT Mortar and Pestle 18DP005 $150

David MacDonald Syracuse, NY Carved Stoneware Casserole 18DM002 $255

Betsy Williams Dixon, NM Jar 18BW011 $160

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Sue Tirrell Livingston, MT Bowl 18ST028 $90

Marty Fielding Tallahassee, FL Tumbler 18MF021 $60

Guillermo Guardia St. Paul, MN Bowl 18GG032 $50

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Marty Fielding Tallahassee, FL Vase 18MF022 $450 Fielding’s Studio Playlist 1 The Width Of A Circle David Bowie 2 Meet Me In The Basement Broken Social Scene 3 A Tribute To Jack Johnson Miles Davis 4 Rattlesnake St. Vincent 5 Via Chicago Wilco

Ellen Corbett (as Prince) Volunteer

Tom Jaszczak Penland, NC Pitcher 18TJ018 $220 Jaszczak’s Studio Playlist 1 Yesterday Atmosphere 2 Sara Bob Dylan 3 The Battle Of New Orleans Johnny Horton 4 Duluth Trampled By Turtles 5 Whiskey Girl Gillian Welch

Tricia Schmidt (as Cher) NCC Sales Gallery Artist

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Maria Dondero Athens, GA Pitcher 18MD030 $100

Tom Jaszczak Penland, NC Bowl 18TJ022 $50

Birdie Boone Meadowview, VA Teapot 18BB012 $160

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Kirk Lyttle St. Paul, MN Plate 18KL013 $140

Maggie Jaszczak Penland, NC Dot Plate 18MJ027 $60

Ron Meyers Athens, GA Owl Plate 18RM012 $160

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Ted Saupe Athens, GA Box 18TS048 NFS

Jil Franke St. Paul, MN Covered Box 18JF029 $265

Pattie Chalmers Carbondale, IL Plate 18PC001 $100

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Amanda Dobbratz Minneapolis, MN Vase 18AD093 NFS Dobbratz’s Studio Playlist 1 I Want You Back The Jackson 5 2 Into Your Arms The Lemonheads 3 A Chicken With Its Head Cut Off The Magnetic Fields 4 Walk Pantera 5 I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) Pitbull

Sarah Millfelt (as David Bowie) NCC Executive Director

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Brent Pafford Eugene, OR Pipe Handle Mug 18BP021 $58

Amanda Dobbratz Minneapolis, MN Pinched Cup 18AD050 $36

Doug Peltzman Shokan, NY Teapot 18PZ001 $375

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Sam Chung Tempe, AZ Cups 18SC024 + 18SC022 $80 each

Andy Shaw Baton Rouge, LA Plate 18SH097 $100

Austin Riddle Roswell, GA Tumblers 18AR024 + 18AR021 $40 / $45

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Sam Chung Tempe, AZ Footed Flared Vase 18SC036 $2000 Chung’s Studio Playlist 1 September Gurls Big Star 2 An Ending (Ascent) Brian Eno 3 Purple Rain Prince and the Revolution 4 Here Comes A Regular The Replacements 5 Still Be Around Uncle Tupelo

Rob Lieder (as Sir Elton John) NCC Outreach Technician

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APF: Exhibition and Sale

APF: Conference

NCC highlights the work of 25 artists from around the country.

Between Friday night and Sunday afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy over 1500 pots and purchase your favorites for your growing collection.

Pre-Festival Workshop Headliners The tradition of offering dynamic, pre-festival educational opportunities with select artists continues in 2018!

American Pottery Festival Opening Night September 7 $25 tickets available at the door or online 5 – 6 pm Members Only Backstage with the Artists 6 – 9 pm General Admission Saturday Jam September 8 $5 tickets available at the door or online All-day Workshop Pass: $65* 9:30 am – 5 pm Sunday Sessions September 9 $5 tickets available at the door or online All-day Workshop Pass: $40* 9:30 am – 2:30 pm *Special pricing for Students, Educators, and NCC Members

Thank you to our generous sponsors at U.S. Bank FlexPerks Rewards for supporting our opening night and weekend festivities.

Sam Chung & Steven Godfrey Get Off Of My Cloud, Little Bird (The Rolling Stones & Annie Lennox) Thursday, September 6, 9 am – 5 pm Friday, September 7, 9 am – 4 pm Students, Educators, NCC Members: $200 (non-members $225) Rockstar duos have been around for ages, but a pairing of this magnitude is no everyday gig. The Jimmy Page and Robert Plant of porcelain, the Sonny and Cher of surface, the Mick & Keith of clay, The Wilson Sisters of slurry, the Daft Punk of pottery, the Wham of wedging, The Righteous Brothers of bisque — Sam Chung and Steven Godfrey will charm audiences with their clay crooning in a 2-day, hands-on intensive workshop. Lunch included.

Doug Peltzman Can U Handle It? (Usher) Friday, September 7, 9 am – 5 pm Students, Educators, NCC Members: $115 (non-members $130) From Usher to Cypress Hill to Heavy D, generations of famous performers have tackled the elusive aspect of any good pot: the handle. Armed with a mic and years of experience, DJ Doug Peltzman will lead audiences in a new iteration of this old song in a day-long workshop. Lunch included.

Saturday Jam Workshops September 8 All-Day Saturday Workshop Pass Students, Educators, NCC Members: $55 (non-members $65) Thank you to our workshop co-sponsors.

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Maria Dondero & Alisa Holen 9 – 10 am (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (Oasis) What’s the story, morning glory? Wake up to a conversation with two of our APF powerhouse women, and enjoy your Saturday morning coffee while Maria Dondero and Alisa Holen relate their experiences, sister to sister. What does it mean in 2018 to be a woman working in the field of ceramics? The Minnesota Women Ceramic Artists organization sponsors this particular opportunity as part of their Wise Women Workshop Series, which aims to directly engage in a conversation about navigating the challenges and opportunities of a career in fine craft from a female perspective. This session is free to MNWCA

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members, open to all APF visitors with their $5 entrance, and is also included in the all-day workshop pass.

Sarah Millfelt with Birdie Boone, Bianka Groves, Guillermo Guardia, & Kirk Lyttle 10:15 – 11:15 am The Show Must Go On (Queen) Whatever happens, I’ll leave it all to chance / Another failed firing, the trials of being always freelance / On an on, does anybody know what we are living for? / I guess I’m learning / I must be a better thrower now / The wheel keeps turning / Studio’s filled with pots by now / Seems the good ones just keep breaking / And it feels like I’m doing this all for free / The show must go on Join these contemporary makers for some candid behindthe-scenes conversation about the joys and realities of being a studio potter — from failed kilns and challenges with the science of the material, to new bodies of work and the freedom that comes with being your own boss. Despite the highs and the lows, the show must go on!

Brent Pafford & Austin Riddle 11:30 am – 12:30 pm Shout (The Isley Brothers) You know they make you want to shout!

Some songs just get stuck in your head, and some pottery you just can’t get out of your mind. Brent Pafford and Austin Riddle are breaking all the rules, and they want you to know — from the bottom of their souls — that you can too. Shoobee-doo-wop.

C’mon on now and define function on your own terms. Join us to hear a conversation about pairing clay with unconventional materials while keeping utility at the forefront. Say you will!

Pattie Chalmers & Sue Tirrell 1 – 3 pm Painted Bird (Siouxsie and the Banshees) Have you heard about the painted bird? Two coquettes, laughing in unison, will demonstrate for us how a frozen moment upon a form can tell a tale Siouxsie would be proud to growl over. By carving through and painting upon, framing with pattern and sharp-honed nerve, Pattie Chalmers and Sue Tirrell will consider the illustrative potential of the functional object.

Kurt Brian Webb 3 – 4 pm Mr. Brightside (The Killers) We can’t imagine a better guide for an interactive workshop than the one and only Kurt Webb. You just gotta, gotta be down with an artist who can start out with a kiss and swim through sick lullabies to end up with forms that help us have it all. Open up your eager eyes and emulate a process that

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expands from a singular experience into a full-blown storyline on the surface of a ceramic object. A cacophony of cobalt brushwork like you’ve never seen.

Meet and Greet 4 – 5 pm Join our visiting APF artists for harmonious conversations in the galleries; learn more about their making and firing processes; enjoy behind-the-scenes chatter.

Sunday Sessions Workshops September 9 All-Day Sunday Workshop Pass Students, Educators, NCC Members: $30 (non-members $40) Ron Meyers, Ted Saupe, & Betsy Williams 10 – 11:45 am Message In A Bottle (The Police) Not since Sting, Summers, and Copeland has a trio of creatives paid homage to the vessel as aptly as these artists. Stand so close to Ron Meyers, Ted Saupe, and Betsy Williams for a Sunday Session and see for yourself that every little thing they do is magic.

Alisa Holen & Andy Shaw 12 – 1 pm Walk on the Wild Side (Lou Reed) Andy came from Baton Rouge, LA. Came to Minneapolis and changed his ways. / His work was round, but then he found — the wild side. Hey Babe, take a walk on the wild side. / Al is coming in from Indiana. In the studio, she’s always alarming. / Her wares you can’t help but like, even when they’re covered in spikes. Hey Babe, take a walk on the wild side. / In this workshop we’ll learn to get down, even when we’re out of round. All the potters go doo doo doo doo doo doo.

Sing along while we learn by example how to push personal paradigms of form.

Birdie Boone & Amanda Dobbratz 1 – 2 pm Chasing Colors (Marshmello x Ookay feat. Noah Cyrus) One of the amazing gifts makers bring to the world is the ability to make something from nothing. Birdie Boone and Amanda Dobbratz chase all the color in their heads, end up with vastly unique wares, and make us feel alive when we use their functional pots. They embody boldness in every decision they make between clay body, form, and color. By observing the model they’ll share, perhaps we can learn to break down walls and start living high, high, high, high.

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APF: Collector Adventure Thursday evening, September 6 – Sunday, September 9 The 2018 Collector Adventure features a gig list of notables in the ceramic community, and the compilations are designed to elevate and educate collectors of every level of interest and dedication. Participation in the Collector Adventure grants you access to a special line up of private collections, exclusive tours, artist studios, demonstrations, and social events.

The Collector Adventure Includes: Social Gatherings • Overture Cocktail Party and Artist Reception • Opening Night Benefit Sale, Members Only Backstage Preview Hour, and NCC Blowout of the Year • Saturday Standing Ovation Happy Hour with artists and the NCC crew of volunteers and staff Weekend Artist Demonstrations and Lectures, including: • Painted Bird with Pattie Chalmers & Sue Tirrell • Mr. Brightside with Kurt Brian Webb • Message In A Bottle with Ron Meyers, Ted Saupe, and Betsy Williams Friday Tour of Private Collections, Studios, and Exhibitions in the Twin Cities area Each and every stop was included for its relevance in the art community. Some of the venues include ceramic art, while others showcase alternative media. In addition to a few brief interludes, collectors will view: • Personal collection of NCC’s Executive Director • Ceramic studio of esteemed local maker • Private tour of local arts organizations including FOCI glass studio and Textile Center Pricing: $275 includes all APF ticket fees and transportation to and from your hotel and NCC during the weekend. Friday’s lunch at a local restaurant is not included in the fee, and NCC graciously caters all other meals during the festival.

Our Collector Adventure guests will travel together by tour van, driven by an NCC representative, and attentively accompanied by a tour leader. Airport transportation and lodging are not included. However, you may direct any inquiries regarding travel and accommodations to tippymaurant@ northernclaycenter.org or 612.339.8007 x301.

Northern Clay Center Community and the American Pottery Festival How to be a part of the team: Fundraiser The American Pottery Festival is NCC’s annual fundraising event. Money raised during these few rockstar days goes to support the advancement of the ceramic arts through our education, exhibitions, outreach, and artist services programming. There are many ways you can engage in our fundraising efforts throughout our APF weekend: • Purchase a piece of donated work. Every year, each of our generous APF artists donates one hand-selected piece to our fundraiser, so 100% of the selling price funds programming. (Thank you, kind artists!)

• Attend our Opening Night Party ($25) with a few friends.

• Become an NCC member and enjoy the benefits that come with supporting your favorite local ceramic group.

• Round up your $5 ticket price on Saturday and Sunday for an added contribution.

• Be inspired by the Exhibition and Artist Lectures, and then buy your new favorite pot (or several).

• Support NCC’s fundraising efforts with a larger gift and bring it home with your company’s matching contributions. $2000 can accomplish the following: support a studio fellowship for one emerging artist for an entire year; fund a ClayToGo residency for 150 school children; create up to 10 lecture or workshop opportunities for artists visiting from around the world.

NCC Membership Purchase or renew your NCC membership before APF to take advantage of special workshop pricing and access to the Members Only Backstage Hour during Opening Night.

On September 7, from 5 – 6 pm, members are invited to be the first to see the American Pottery Festival exhibition, purchase pots, converse with artists, and enjoy complimentary passed appetizers and bubbly. NCC members are included in a rare community of artists and supporters working to advance the ceramic arts. In addition to supporting a unique, medium-specific organization and its programming, your membership will provide you with discounts throughout the year. You may purchase your membership online, in the gallery, or by telephone.

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Volunteers Each year, scores of individuals come together to help create APF through donations of time and talent. Looking for a way to lend your skillset to our team in a new way? We need what you have! Gallery help, painting, hosting or chauffeuring visiting artists, wrapping pots, stoking the pizza oven, you name it — we have a place for you and greatly appreciate your time before and during the weekend! Please send an email to volunteer@northernclaycenter.org with any questions, or register online.

Community NCC is a not-for-profit, community-based organization with a national and international presence. Thousands of people connect with NCC annually through outreach, education, studio programs, and through the sales and exhibition galleries. Whether you are an up-and-coming or long-time student, an emerging studio artist or a maker on the road to mastery, a new shopper in the gallery or an experienced collector, we invite and encourage you to attend this year’s American Pottery Festival. We have a place at the table for you. Come to learn, explore, splurge, and connect with the legendary clay community.

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Shopping Songbook Here are a few tips to help with purchase choices for the festival weekend, and if you aren’t able to attend APF in person, never fear! There are still opportunities to purchase pots in the exhibition!

• Shop online at www.store.northernclaycenter.org for hundreds of pieces by this year’s APF artists as well as the artists represented full-time in the sales gallery.

• Shipping to the US and Canada is available for all purchases online and in the gallery. Arrange for shipping online during checkout, or simply let us know when you purchase your pots in person, and we’ll handle it from there. No more worrying about whether all of those pots are going to fit into your carry on!

• As this is NCC’s annual fundraiser, no member discounts apply on purchases made during APF weekend. All APF sales are final; no returns or exchanges.

• All pieces placed on hold and not purchased by the end of that day will be returned to the sale.

• We offer a personal shopping service for those of you who are unable to attend the festival in person. Please register as soon as possible so we are able to send images, and then work with you to choose your favorite pieces.

Sales of APF work open on Friday, September 7, at 6 pm (5 pm for members), but it’s advisable to partner with our staff in the days leading up to the event so we can set aside exactly what you’d like as soon as the exhibition opens. We are also happy to assist you in the purchase of work by our year-round gallery artists that may not be available online. Please send a request for a personal shopper to salesgallery@northernclaycenter.org, and we’ll get the merch all set!

• Stash your pots! Don’t strain those valuable arms. We will have roving volunteers and staff members ready to set your pots aside so you can move freely throughout the exhibition. We don’t adhere to the, “Don’t buy what you can’t carry” approach to collecting.

Kurt Brian Webb Palatine, IL Vase 18KW085 $625

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NonproďŹ t Organization U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities, MN Permit No. 28375

2424 Franklin Avenue East Minneapolis, Minnesota 55406 612.339.8007 www.northernclaycenter.org

Bianka Groves Santa Fe, NM Vase 18BG053 $120

Special Thanks

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, and a grant from Wells Fargo.

The portraits in this catalog feature NCC volunteers, resident studio artists, sales gallery artists, staff, and friends with APF pots they love out loud.

Alisa Holen Evansville, IN Cup with Base 18AH024 $80

Thank you to the individuals who worked with NCC to create and produce these images.

Design: Veto Design (vetodesign.com) Portrait Photography: Joseph D.R. OLeary Art Direction: Tippy Maurant Ceramic Photography: Peter Lee