The Potters Cast

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