Bellingham Pottery and Beyond
What's happening in the PNW and all the other places
Studio Updates!
Spring session classes have been posted so get on over to the website and sign up if you haven’t. Burnish has added two more classes this session so everyone should be able to get what they want.
This is the last week of classes, with the exception of the classes that missed due to the snowpocalypse. Clean your ware boards, rip off the blue tape, and stack them in the board rack. If you are taking a class next session, you don’t have to clear out your cubbies! If you are doing Bridge the Gap, make sure your tape says BTG on it next to your name.
GLAZE YOUR POTTERY.
We are in a bit of a transitional phase with our clays, glazes, and firings. It looks like we might be going to a cone 10 situation, but the data isn’t all quite in yet. Until then, glaze conservatively. Make sure you are not doing any more than one full dip on a piece and that the second dip, if you have them, comes down no further than half way.
SODA
There is still space left in the cone 6 soda firing in April. You can sign up here.
APRIL:
• Cone 10 firing, led by Zoe Peterson:
Deadline to bisque at Burnish: Work must be dry and on the greenware shelf by Monday 3/25
Deadline to deliver finished/glazed work: Saturday, 3/30
Loading: Monday, 4/1
Firing: Tuesday, 4/2
Unloading: Friday 4/5
Cone 6 firing led by Ann Marie Cooper
Deadline to bisque at Burnish: Work must be dry and on the greenware shelf by Monday 4/15
Deadline to deliver finished/glazed work: Saturday, 4/20
Loading: Monday, 4/22
Firing: Tuesday, 4/23
Unloading: Saturday 4/27
March’s Featured Artist: Isolina Minjeong
From her website:
Isolina Minjeong (b. 1997, Chicago, IL) lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her work has been exhibited at NADA Miami (2023), the Spring/Break Art show (2022) and the Tchotchke Gallery (2022) amongst others.
Isolina was kind enough to answer our questions about her work.
How long have you been working with clay?
5 years!
What about clay is inspiring for you?
I love the strength clay gives me to blend techniques and subcultures from all over the world into one voice.
How did working with clay change your perception of yourself/the world?
Clay has given me such a special lease on life! I'm quite humbled to know that I'm carrying on one of man's most ancient ways to tell a story. It's given me more confidence and agency to be myself, and the best version at that!
Are you a concept artist? A materials artist? A combo?
Definitely a combo! I focus on the physical integrity of my work first, you know, that it's well made and considered. It's once I leave the studio and that sacred energy, that I break down the elements of what I'm working on critically, conceptually, and concisely
.
When did you decide to make clay and art your life's work?
I decided during my first year studying ceramics at the Maryland Institute College Art. Specifically after meeting my first Korean-American mentor and figurative sculptor, Victoria Jang.
What are some of your creative goals?
At the moment, the goal is to power through glazing. The hardest thing a sculptor can do is create a believable surface, so sharpening my glaze alchemy is something I'm very determined to expand and experiment upon. I'm also interested in how clay can be pushed and packaged as an experience through photography and video! There are so many exciting projects I'm working on with animators and filmmakers, I can't wait to see where things go from here!
What are some of your professional goals?
Professionally I'd love to create a more cohesive brand and identity, with fine art being only a section of my life. A sustainable studio rhythm and exciting streams of income are what I'm looking forward to managing more elegantly as my career grows.
What would you say to people just starting out in clay/art?
Don't be afraid to ask for help, to access the global community resources of ceramics, and have fun! That can look like reaching out to artists you admire to shadow or researching specific craft histories and artists to better understand how you fit into it all. "Work faster than your self-doubt" and you will be okay. :)
Things I Wish I Knew Sooner
You can know how to do something in ceramics, but until you have done it enough to make it your own, you don’t really know it yet. There are a lot of things to learn in clay- how to work with it, dry it, decorate it, fire it. Within each of these steps there is a world of options and choices the potter must make in order to push their piece through the entirety of the process of making pottery. Then there are all the things that go wrong depending on what step of the process you are in. In fact, some might even argue that pottery trains the faithful. (Dune shout out) So do your best to enjoy every step. Savor every dashed hope. Languish in every squashed expectation. Acknowledge and celebrate every small victory. They are all steps on your path of getting to know clay, pottery, and the great maker within you.
OPPORTUNITIES:
UPCOMING calls for work.
international exhibitions
April 21, 2023 entry deadline
Massachusetts, South Yarmouth “Animal Kingdom” (Ongoing) open to all fine art mediums, except video. Open to all artists worldwide, both amateur and professional. This is an online exhibition all about animals, in all their shapes and sizes. Work that is copied or done under the guidance of an instructor is not eligible. All online galleries are kept live for five years. Fee: $40. Juried from digital. Juror: Chris Gustin. Contact Cultural Center of Cape Cod; exhibitions@cultural-center.org; 508-394-7100; www.cultural-center.org.
May 1, 2023 entry deadline
Connecticut, Woodbridge “The Will of the Kiln” (July 1–15) open to all artists working in ceramics. Sculpture and pots are welcome. Wood must be used in the firing of all submitted works—pit firing, raku, low-fire earthenware, mid-range stoneware and porcelain, wood/soda, high-fire wood. All wood-fired clay types and temperature ranges welcome. Wood firing is a method that involves an intimate dialog between the maker and nature’s forces. Fee: $40. Juried from digital. Juror: Chris Gustin. Contact Trevor Youngberg, New England Woodfiring Conference; NewEnglandWFC@gmail.com; www.newenglandwfc.com.
May 15, 2023 entry deadline
Louisiana, New Orleans “This is Not Clay” (August 11–September 15) open to all manner of ceramic artworks that can be described as surreal, hyperrealistic, or trompe l’oeil (“fool the eye”). All submitted pieces must be original artworks made by the applicant within the last two years and must not have been previously exhibited at the Clay Center gallery. All submitted pieces accepted for the exhibition must be for sale. Fee: $30 for three entries. Juried from digital. Juror: TBA. Contact Michelle Swafford, The Clay Center of New Orleans; info@nolaclay.org; 504-517-3721; www.nolaclay.org.
May 30, 2023 entry deadline
Louisiana, New Orleans “Creep Show 2023” (October 6–November 3) open to artists 18 years of age and older working in ceramics. The Clay Center of New Orleans seeks applicants for its annual celebration of creepy, kooky, scary, and spooky ceramics. Fee: $30. Juried from digital. Juror: TBA. Contact Michelle Swafford, The Clay Center of New Orleans; info@nolaclay.org; 504-517-3721; www.nolaclay.org.
June 9, 2023 entry deadline
Ohio, Norwood “Call for Proposal” (July 21–August 18) Queen City Clay is currently seeking proposals for solo and group shows in their Martindell Gallery. The gallery consists of 1200 square feet with 82 linear feet of plywood-backed finished walls for suitable for hanging. Fee: $30. Juried from digital. Juror: TBA. Contact Jon Stein, Queen City Clay; jstein@queencityclay.com; 513-871-2529; www.queencityclay.com/retail/gallery.
July 15, 2023 entry deadline
Louisiana, New Orleans “FunctionFest” (November 17–December 15) open to artists 18 years of age and older working in ceramics. The Clay Center of New Orleans seeks applicants for the 2023 installment of ”FunctionFest,” our popular biennial juried group exhibition devoted to functional ceramic work and studio pottery. Fee: $30. Juried from digital. Juror: TBA. Contact Michelle Swafford, The Clay Center of New Orleans; info@nolaclay.org; 504-517-3721; www.nolaclay.org.
August 7, 2023 entry deadline
Florida, Tequesta “Little Lush” (September 7–December 2) open to all artists working in ceramics. Little Lush will showcase handmade, functional ceramics. This exhibition provides a spotlight for small works including cups, mugs, pitchers, flasks, teapots, etc. that utilize clay as a primary material. Lighthouse ArtCenter welcomes submissions in an assortment of shapes and sizes with rich and seductive surfaces. Fee: $11. Juried from digital. Juror: TBA. Contact Lighthouse Art Center, 373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469; janeen@lighthousearts.org; 561-746-3101; https://lighthousearts.org/little-lush.
united states exhibitions
April 16, 2023 entry deadline
Colorado, Lakewood “Flower Power” (May 12–28) open to any artist 18 years of age or older in the US. Whether realistic, expressionistic, impressionistic, symbolistic, abstract or political and conceptual... Let’s explore what current floral imagery means to you. All mediums/disciplines welcome but for video. Works must be no larger than 60 inches on its longest side, including frame. Fee: $35. Juried from digital. Juror: Michael Paglia. Contact Core Art Space, 6501 W Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80214; coreexhibits@gmail.com; 303-297-8428; www.coreartspace.com.
April 21, 2023 entry deadline
California, Tujunga “The Human Figure in Clay 2023” (June 3–24) open to any artist 18 years of age or older in the US. Artwork submissions must have been completed within the last three years and cannot be submissions from a prior MAC Exhibition. Generally, any artwork utilizing any type of fired clay, in whole or predominantly, is acceptable. Fee: $35. Juried from digital. Juror: Biliana Popova. Contact McGroarty Arts Center, 7570 McGroarty Terrace, Tujunga, CA 91042; mcgroartyceramics@gmail.com; 818-352-5285; www.mcgroartyartscenter.org/events.
April 23, 2023 entry deadline
Massachusetts, Attleboro “USED” (June 16–July 14) open to any artist 18 years of age or older in the US. Open to all mediums, sizes, and concepts. Each artist may submit up to two different entries. All mediums and interpretations of ”used” will be juried. There is no size limitation per entry, however all submissions (both 2D and 3D) cannot weigh over 100 pounds. Fee: $25. Juror: TBA. Contact Attleboro Arts Museum, 86 Park St., Attleboro, MA 02703; office@attleboroartsmuseum.org; 508-222-2644; www.attleboroartsmuseum.org.
April 24, 2023 entry deadline
Arizona, Tubac “Proud To Be Seen 2023” (May 26–July 2) open to all artists 18 years of age and older living in the US. Artists may consider picturing pride, an examination of what Pride means to them, a journey to pride, how do artists interpret Pride, and self discovery through Pride. Artists are encouraged to create and enter work that is innovative in concept and approach. Work must have been completed within the last 24 months. Fee: $35. Juried from digital. Juror: TBA. Contact the Tubac Center of the Arts, 9 Plaza Road, Tubac, AZ 85646; ArtisticDirector@TubacArts.org; 520-398-2371; www.tubacarts.org.
May 1, 2023 entry deadline
Indiana, Kokomo “Small Works” (July 3–20) open to all artists 18 years of age and older living in the US. Small works that are no larger than 12 inches in any direction, including the frame are requested. Work must be original and completed in the last two years. 2D and 3D work are both accepted. All work must be accurately represented in jpeg images. Fee: $35. Juried from digital. Juror: TBA. Contact the Indiana University Kokomo Art Gallery, 2300 S. Washington St., Kokomo, IN 46902; gallery2@iuk.edu; www.iuk.edu/gallery/index.html.
May 21, 2023 entry deadline
New York, Port Chester “Functional Fall: A Seat At The Table” (May 22–June 2) open to all artists 18 years of age and older living in the US. This exhibition brings everyone to the table through ceramics that serve, and encourages submissions from artists at all stages of their careers. Works must be available and for sale at time of exhibition. Primary medium must be ceramic/clay—at least 85%, where other media are utilized. Fee: $25. Juried from digital. Juror: Jessica Putnam Phillips. Contact the Clay Art Center, 40 Beech Street, Port Chester, NY 10573; gallery@clayartcenter.org; 914-937-2047; www.clayartcenter.org.
May 30, 2023 entry deadline
California, San Diego “PROUD+ 2023” (June 29–July 29) open to all artists 18 years of age and older living in the US. The Studio Door is seeking artwork that expresses authentic, diverse viewpoints from the LGBTQIA+ experience. Show them what your Pride looks like. Fee: $35. Juried from digital. Juror: Jonathan D. Katz. Contact The Studio Door, 3867 4th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103; forallweknow@thestudiodoor.com; www.thestudiodoor.com.
regional exhibitions
April 14, 2023 entry deadline
Oregon, Roseburg “2023 Artworks Northwest Biennial” (June 9–August 18) open to all established, mid-career and emerging artists residing in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska, British Columbia, Western Montana, and Western Wyoming. Open to all media, except video. This is a juried invitational for artists who reside in the Pacific Northwest and a critical show of the discourse, dialog, and practices happening with contemporary artists in the region. Artwork must have been completed within the last three years and not been previously exhibited at UVA. Fee: $35. Juried from digital. Juror: TBA. Contact the Umpqua Valley Arts Association, 1624 West Harvard Ave, Roseburg, OR 97471; ashley@uvarts.com; 541-672-2532; www.uvarts.com.
fairs and festivals
April 29, 2023 entry deadline
Minnesota, Minneapolis “Minnehaha Falls Art Fair 2023” (July 14–16) open to all artists in all media. Each artist is required to submit a total of five images (four images of current work and one booth image). Work must be for sale. Each of the four images should feature individual pieces that accurately represent the body of work to be exhibited. All Artists must offer items in their booth for under $30. Fee: $35. Juried from digital. Juror: TBA. Contact the Minnehaha Falls Art Fair, Minnehaha Falls Regional Park; minnehahafallsartfair@gmail.com; www.minnehahafallsartfair.com.
May 15, 2023 entry deadline
Oregon, Roseburg “The 54th Annual Summer Arts Festival” (June 23–25) open to all artists in a variety of media, including ceramics. Artwork must be original and handcrafted work that matches the artwork media juried in at time of acceptance. All artwork must be for sale. Fee: $25. Juried from digital. Juror: TBA. Contact the Umpqua Valley Arts Association, 1624 West Harvard Ave, Roseburg, OR 97471; ashley@uvarts.com; 541-672-2532; www.uvarts.com.