521: Christi Ruffin on the joy of collecting ceramics

Brian Nettles is a potter and educator based in Pass Christian, MS, an area that was hit hard by a 35-foot storm surge during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. We start our interview talking about the history of ceramics in southern Mississippi and the influence of bayous and cypress swamps on his aesthetic. The second part of the interview focuses on his experience rebuilding his home and studio after Katrina, as well as tips for navigating recovery resources after a natural disaster. In addition to his own studio, he was the Studio Director of Ceramics at the Ohr O’Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi, MS from 1997-2005. www.nettlespottery.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 Archie Bray Residencies www.archiebray.org

Sarah Wells Rolland founded the Village Potters in the River Arts District of Asheville, NC in 2011. The art center housed a community of seven resident potters, as well as dozens of students through their classes and mentorship program. In late September Hurricane Helene turned the French Broad into a raging river that destroyed the Village Potters. In our interview we talk about the history of the art center and their ongoing recovery from catastrophic flooding. You can support The Village Potters recovery efforts on GoFundMe and find out more at www.thevillagepotters.com.   Many thanks to the folks that supported my holiday sale this year. I’m happy to offer listeners free shipping on all pots up until December 16th. To receive this special offer, use the offer code PODCAST at checkout. This offer is good for the listeners in the continental United States. You can shop now at www.carterpottery.com. Happy Holidays!   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 Archie Bray Residencies www.archiebray.org

nicole gugliotti joins me on the show today to talk about her path to financial literacy and methods she uses to save for retirement. In our interview we talk about budgeting basics, types of retirement accounts, and the value of having short terms goals to help stay motivated. We also talk about her art practice and living in the Pacific Northwest. https://nicolegugliotticraft.com   My annual holiday sale is now live with over fifty new pots. They make great gifts for your loved ones for the holidays and I’m happy to offer listeners free shipping. To receive this special offer, make a purchase before December 16th at www.carterpottery.com and use the offer code PODCAST at checkout. This offer is good for the listeners in the continental United States. You can shop now at www.carterpottery.com. Happy Holidays!   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 Archie Bray Residencies www.archiebray.org

Michelle Im uses low-fire tin glaze to make both vibrant patterned pottery and figurative sculpture. In our interview we talk about her approach and technique for majolica, developing her RatxChicks brand, and her portrayal of familial identity in her sculptural work. You can read more about Michelle in my book The Complete Guide to Low-Fire Glazes for Potters and Sculptors or visit www.ratxchicks.club.   My annual holiday sale is now live with over fifty new pots. They make great gifts for your loved ones for the holidays and I’m happy to offer listeners free shipping. To receive this special offer, make a purchase before December 16th at www.carterpottery.com and use the offer code PODCAST at checkout. This offer is good for the listeners in the continental United States. You can shop now at www.carterpottery.com. Happy Holidays!   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 Archie Bray Residencies www.archiebray.org

Greg Daly is a master of the luster genre using a reduction kiln to create rich surfaces that depict the Australian landscape. In our interview we talk about how subtle differences in reduction affect luster surfaces, teaching as an act of problem solving, and why collecting other artists work has been important to his development. Greg has had over 100 solo exhibitions, so we also discuss staying motivated over a 50-year career. You can read more about Greg’s work in my book The Complete Guide to Low-Fire Glazes for Potters and Sculptors. A big thank you to him for writing about his process and for freely sharing his research. The book is now available where fine books are sold.   My annual holiday sale is now live with over fifty new pots. They make great gifts for your loved ones for the holidays and I’m happy to offer listeners free shipping. To receive this special offer, make a purchase before December 16th at www.carterpottery.com and use the offer code PODCAST at checkout. This offer is good for the listeners in the continental United States. You can shop now at www.carterpottery.com. Happy Holidays!   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 Archie Bray Residencies www.archiebray.org

Sunshine Cobb returns to talk about her new role as resident coordinator at the Archie Bray Foundation. In the interview we talk about how shifts in a residency structure can create equity and opportunity, as well as how residents find financial stability as the cost of living is increasing post-COVID. This year’s Bray residency application deadline is December 19th. Check out www.archiebray.org/residencies for more information on how to apply.   My annual holiday sale is now live with over fifty new pots. They make great gifts for your loved ones for the holidays and I’m happy to offer listeners free shipping. To receive this special offer, make a purchase before December 16th at www.carterpottery.com and use the offer code PODCAST at checkout. This offer is good for the listeners in the continental United States. You can shop now at www.carterpottery.com. Happy Holidays!   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 Archie Bray Residencies www.archiebray.org

Priscilla Dobler Dzul and Corinna Cowles were both residents at the Archie Bray Foundation this summer. In our interview we talk about their current bodies of work and their experience at the Bray. Corinna Cowles is based in Philadelphia, PA and Priscilla Dobler Dzul splits time between Washington state and Mexico. This year’s Bray residency application deadline is December 19th. Check out www.archiebray.org/residencies for more information on how to apply.   I would like to highlight a few friends of the podcast that need help recovering from Hurricane Helene. The Village Potters were hit hard with flooding and are raising money to help them rebuild. Please donate to the Go Fund Me linked above to help the artists relocate.   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 Archie Bray Residencies www.archiebray.org

Bill Wilkey fires his geometric forms in a soda atmosphere that exposes and softens their textured edges. In this week’s interview we talk about his mind-blowing experience visiting Brunelesschi’s Dome, the impact his Archie Bray residency had on his career, and starting a life in Helena, MT with his family. www.wilkeyarts.com. This interview is the first in a series featuring former Bray residents. This year’s Bray residency application deadline is December 19th. Check out www.archiebray.org/residencies for more information on how to apply.   I would like to highlight a few friends of the podcast that need help recovering from Hurricane Helene. Cassie Butcher, Maria Andrade Troya, and the other artists of Curve Studios were hit hard with flooding up to the second story of their building. The studio isn’t able to reopen, but please support the Go Fund Me linked above to help the artists relocate.   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 Archie Bray Residencies www.archiebray.org

Malene Barnett returns for an interview about her new book Crafted Kinship: Inside the Creative Practice of Contemporary Black Caribbean Makers. In our interview we talk about Black cultural memory, her process for interviewing and building an archive of Caribbean artists, and the influence of Caribbean material culture around the world. The book will be published by Artisan Books on October 29th and will be widely available where ever fine books are sold. www.malenebarnett.com   I would like to highlight a few friends of the podcast that need help recovering from Hurricane Helene. Joy Tanner and Will Baker from Wood Song Pottery were affected by flooding of their studio and kilns in Bakersville, NC. You can help them get back on their feet by donating to their GoFundMe campaign. Artist and entrepreneur Josh Copus’s businesses were severely damaged by catastrophic flooding in his small town of Marshall, NC. You can help him rebuild the hotel at the Old Marshall Jail and Zadie’s Market by donating to his GoFundMe Campaign. You can also volunteer your time to help clean up and make direct donations to other businesses in Marshall by visiting helpmarshall.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 Archie Bray Residencies www.archiebray.org

Today we have the final installment of our series about student loans with an episode featuring Liz Noonan and Christian Bailey. They share their experience dealing with fluctuating payments, managing debt as a family, and the ups and downs of loan forgiveness. Liz is a studio artist in Boxborough, MA. Christian is a artist and educator in Gulfport, MS. www.liznoonanceramics.com www.christianbaileyceramics.com   I’d like to highlight a few excellent resources for helping those affected by Hurricane Helene. Julie Wiggins has been spearheading relief for artists in the Penland, NC area. You can support her efforts by donating to her Go Fund Me. It has been great to see many organizations and individual donors mobilize their support for CERF+. I have pieces available for purchase in CERF+ fundraisers at Clay Akar and Companion Gallery. You can also donate to them directly at www.cerfplus.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 Archie Bray Residencies www.archiebray.org