COMMUNITY CONNECTION In a historic Bend building, ceramicists find inspiration in proximity at Mud Lake Studios words MEGHAN ROBINS images RICHARD BACON
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ud Lake Studios & Supplies, located in the Old Iron Works Art District on SE Scott Street, is home to more than 80 clay-working artists. Some rent dedicated spaces. Some are cubby members. Others bring homemade pieces to be fired in professional kilns. Though the variety of artistry ranges, the medium at Mud Lake Studios is primarily clay. Within that medium is a plethora of choices: What type and color of clay? Do you hand-build or throw on the wheel? Will you glaze or carve? What type of glaze? What color and mineral content will you choose? Do you fire in the gas or electric kiln? Most importantly, how will all of these elements and decisions interact to create a unique and beautiful final piece? When Alder Harkin joined Mud Lake Studios, first as a cubby member, then as a studio artist, he was 18 years old and fresh out of high school. His obsession with ceramics led him to join Mud Lake Studios, where he found himself surrounded by over 80 other artists. “My progress just skyrocketed once I got here,” Alder says. “Because here, there’s infinite inspiration. If I saw something I really liked, I could just go up to that artist and ask, ‘How’d you do that?’”
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