551: Julie Wiggins on improvisation and structured play

Ruth Easterbrook’s functional forms are decorated with layers of inlayed glazes that melt into floral patterns. In our interview we talk about her recently finished residency at The Clay Studio, understanding her capacity as a maker, and using repetition to refine the color relationships in her patterns. www.rutheasterbrook.com Thank you to The Clay Studio for letting Ruth and I record this interview at the studio in August of this year.   Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: Monkey Stuff www.monkeystuff.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com

Julie Wiggins carves crisp floral drawings into her forms creating patterns that are inlayed with cobalt pigment. We start our interview comparing musical improvisation to structured play in the studio, along with her love of the band Phish, whom she has seen over 250 times since the mid-1990s. We also discuss traveling for international residencies and the role she took on after Hurricane Helene distributing aid and supplies to her mountain community. www.juliewigginspottery.com   Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: Monkey Stuff www.monkeystuff.com The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program www.snowfarm.org

Gillan Doty is an atmospheric potter based in Asheville, NC. Doty lost his studio to catastrophic flooding during Hurricane Helene and is part of the vibrant arts community that is rebuilding in the area. In our interview we talk about how recent residencies at the Archie Bray Foundation and The Clay Studio shifted his aesthetic as he worked with new kilns and materials. www.gillandoty.com   Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program www.snowfarm.org

Nancy Servis is a curator, historian, and writer who has spent decades shining light on California and the clay artists that work there. In our interview we talk about the value of regional galleries in educating the public, artists she thinks need more attention in California history, and her experience curating this year’s 80th Scripps College Ceramic National. www.servisarts.com.   I have a few spots left in my surface design workshop at Snow Farm August 14 - 17. If you are interested in building layers through mark making and pattern, join me for a weekend of experimentation and learning. To register visit www.snowfarm.org.   Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program www.snowfarm.org

Kyle Triplett pairs hundreds of ceramic elements with digital projections and light works that highlight the human relationship with land and place. In our interview we talk about making site specific work, his interest in blending physical and visual space, and the Morean Ceramic Research Center in Kalamazoo, MI. Triplett is the Morean Distinguished Professor in Ceramics at Western Michigan University and the director of the center. www.kyletriplett.com   I have a few spots left in my surface design workshop at Snow Farm August 14 - 17. If you are interested in building layers through mark making and pattern, join me for a weekend of experimentation and learning. To register visit www.snowfarm.org.   Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program www.snowfarm.org

Jonathan Eberle joins me on the show today to talk about the life and legacy of his father Ed Eberle (1944-2023). Ed Eberle is best known for his sculptural vessels and paintings that depict cultural archetypes through groupings of figures. In our interview we talk about Ed’s time at Carnegie Mellon (1975-1985), Jonathan’s role as a legacy holder and filmmaker, and Eberle Studios, which continues to provide space for working artists in Pittsburgh, PA. www.eberlestudios.art   Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com

To start our 14th season of the podcast we have a panel featuring guest host Kathy King talking with Dustin Yaeger, Joy Kin, and Connor Czora in front of a live studio audience at this year’s NCECA conference in Salt Lake City. Philosopher and educator John Dewey wrote, “The self is not something ready-made, but something in continuous formation through choice of action.” Today’s episode explores the self-revelation that happens through art making, and how recent societal and political changes are impacting LGBTQIA+ artists. Special thanks to NCECA for co-producing this episode and to Cole Collier for running the sound for the podcast room this year.   I want to send out a special shout out to today’s host Kathy King, along with Matt and Rose Katz to congratulate them on their 100th episode of For Flux Sake. That dropped this week and is available on all major podcast apps. I’ve had a great time making that show with them over the last four years and I’m proud that they are a part of the Brickyard Network. If you’d like to check out their back catalogue visit www.brickyardnetwork.org.   Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com Bray Clay www.archiebrayclay.com

Dallas Wooten makes functional ware decorated with water etched and painted surfaces that melt and blend beautifully during his cone six firings. In our interview we talk about developing techniques to create fluid surfaces, and finding work life balance while running an art center. We also talk about the Princeton Pottery Festival, which Dallas has been instrumental in starting. www.wootenclayworks.com   I’m happy to be taking part in the inaugural Princeton Pottery Festival happening May 3 and 4 at the Princeton Day School in Princeton, NJ. I’ll also have new work at this year’s Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail, where I will be a guest of Lucy Fagella April 26th and 27th in Greenfield, MA.   Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com

MaryMar Keenan is the owner and lead designer of MM Clay, a manufacturer of custom dinnerware in San Francisco, CA. In our interview we talk about her career path to entrepreneurship, working with chefs to design restaurant ware, and increasing production when you have a limited amount of space. www.mmclay.com.   I’m happy to be taking part in this year’s Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail, where I will be a guest of Lucy Fagella April 26th and 27th in Greenfield, MA. I’ll also be in the first annual Princeton Pottery Festival, happening at the Princeton Day School May 3rd and 4th. Both events feature an excellent selection of both emerging and established artists. Hope to see you there.   Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com Michigan Mud 2025 www.michclay.com

Derek Reeverts is a figure sculptor based in Gainesville, FL, where he is the teaching lab specialist at the University of Florida. In our interview we talk about his use of symbols and tools to depict the midwestern work ethic, teaching students to build and use energy efficient kilns, and the changes the Florida education system has gone through in recent years. www.derekreeverts.com.   Derek is a member of the NCECA Green Task Force, which will be taking part in the project space at this year’s conference. Check out Matt Fiske, Hamish Jackson, and others for a wild clay experience that includes learning how to ethically harvest and process wild clay using materials from Utah. If you will be at the conference this week in Salt Lake City come to one of the live tapings that will be happening throughout the day on March 27th and 28th. Find out more on the NCECA app or www.nceca.net.   I’m happy to be taking part in this year’s Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail, where I will be a guest of Lucy Fagella April 26th and 27th in Greenfield, MA. I’ll also be in the first annual Princeton Pottery Festival, happening at the Princeton Day School May 3rd and 4th. Both events feature an excellent selection of both emerging and established artists. Hope to see you there.   Today’s episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: The Rosenfield Collection of Functional Ceramic Art www.Rosenfieldcollection.com Cornell Studio Supply www.cornellstudiosupply.com Bray Clay www.archiebrayclay.com