by Carole Epp | Aug 20, 2019 | Uncategorized

American Pottery Festival 2019
Northern Clay Center, 2424 Franklin Ave E, Minneapolis, MN 55406
612.339.8007
Get concentrated time with some of the best ceramic artists in the field with Pre-Festival Workshops at American Pottery Festival 2019, September 6 – 8.
Jan McKeachie Johnston & Linda Christianson: Hygge in Clay
Thursday, September 5, 9 am – 5 pm
Friday, September 6, 9 am – 4 pm
Students, Educators, NCC Members: $200 (non-members $225)
Join these powerhouse potters for a two-day, hands-on workshop filled with astute tips, lots of individual instructor attention, and laughter born of Midwestern wit and pragmatism. Hygge (Hoo-gah) is a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality. The concept aligns with how Jan and Linda and their pots make us feel. Whether we are gazing upon one of McKeachie Johnston’s generous baskets, or warming ourselves drinking from Christianson’s mugs, we experience an overwhelming confluence of intention and execution. Primarily a handbuilder, McKeachie Johnston will demonstrate her slab work and carving from a solid. Christianson will work on a treadle wheel, creating various parts to alter and assemble. Throughout the workshop they will discuss proportion, form, intention, gesture, the benefits of cross-country skiing, and maybe a joke or two. One can expect to leave with a deeper knowledge of how to create energetic connections between parts of a form while capturing the intentional gesture of your hand in clay. Lunch included.
Register here: https://store.northernclaycenter.org/jan-mckeachie-johnston-linda-christiansonhygge-in.html
Sunshine Cobb: Square Things and Round Things
Friday, September 6, 9 am – 5 pm
Students, Educators, NCC Members: $115 (non-members $130)
Sunshine Cobb will share her approach to square things, like garlic boxes, and round things, like pitchers and vases. She will talk about how abstract concepts make their way into her work, and how to foster similar insertion into your own creative practice. Her demonstration will motivate you to experiment with new and old forms and methods of construction. Basic handbuilding methods will be applied to hard and soft slab construction as a way to generate various components for constructing pots. In this one-day workshop, participants can expect to complete one form. Lunch included.
Register here: https://store.northernclaycenter.org/sunshine-cobbsquare-things-round-things.html
About American Pottery Festival
The American Pottery Festival is a three-day event highlighting the immeasurable talent, the commitment, and the epic chops of your favorite ceramic artists and some icons in the making.
Ceramic artists from across the country will converge on Minneapolis to offer their wares and share glimpses of their studio practice, focusing on critical insight and technical information. In panel discussions, artist talks, demonstrations, and gallery chats, we will delve into the principles and elements of design in relation to dynamic utility. NCC will once again deliver a combination of engaging, influential voices from across the spectrum of American Ceramics!
Learn more about APF: https://www.northernclaycenter.org/apf
Sign up for Weekend Workshop All-Day Passes
Saturday, September 7: https://store.northernclaycenter.org/saturday-session.html
Students, Educators, NCC Members: $55 (non-members $65)
Sunday, September 8: https://store.northernclaycenter.org/sunday-study.html
Students, Educators, and NCC Members: $30 (non-members $40)
by Carole Epp | Apr 2, 2019 | emerging artist, residency opportunity, workshops

May 2, 2019 | 6:00pm
Location: Northern Clay Center, 2424 Franklin Ave E, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Learn more: https://www.northernclaycenter.org/calendar/event/mn-nice-program-info-session-0
Join us for a MN NICE program information session, where we will discuss the program’s many components before opening the floor to questions.
Is MN NICE right for you?
MN NICE supports the development of studio work and provides high-level training in ceramic materials, history and theory, and professional practices. Through instruction and individual mentorship, students build skills, knowledge, and insight necessary to create a personal and cohesive body of work. The program is led by ceramics artist and educator, Ursula Hargens, and is supported by the talents of myriad ceramic artists from around the region and from across the country.
Hargens explains, “Many individuals are eager to further their ceramic education and seek a professional credential, but family, employment, financial and time constraints limit their ability to do so within a traditional academic structure. This certificate program is designed to fill this gap, providing a flexible, yet challenging environment that responds to the needs of non-traditional students, giving them quality information, academic rigor, critical dialogue, and critique as they develop their artistic practice and strengthen their work.”
Find more information here: https://www.northernclaycenter.org/minnesota-new-institute-ceramic-education or to request detailed information and discuss your availability, contact Kyle Rudy-Kohlhepp at kylerudyk@northernclaycenter.org or 612.339.8007 x314.
by Carole Epp | Dec 12, 2018 | call for entry, emerging artist
Grants info session
January 10, 2019, 6 pm, Northern Clay Center
NCC proudly facilitates six grant programs for current students, recent graduates, emerging, and mid-career artists. Learn about the application process and your eligibility at a free information session in NCC’s Library: Thursday, January 10, 6 – 7 pm. No reservations are required.
If you are interested in having a presentation at your organization (in Minnesota or almost anywhere in the country), we are always happy to take our show on the road (whether in-person or electronically) to share these opportunities. Email Jill Foote-Hutton at [email protected] to arrange.
https://www.northernclaycenter.org/calendar/event/grants-info-session
Jerome Ceramic Artist Project Grant
The Jerome Foundation has supported emerging ceramic artists from Minnesota since 1990. The Jerome Ceramic Artist Project Grant program supports Minnesota ceramic artists at relatively early stages in their careers, as they accomplish short-term, specific objectives. The program will provide three grants of $6,000 each in 2019 for projects to take place between April 1 and December 31, 2019.
Projects may include, but are not limited to: experimenting with new techniques and materials; working or studying with a mentor; purchasing equipment to facilitate an aesthetic or technical investigation; providing studio time, studio rental, supplies, technical support; collaborations between ceramic artists and artists working in other media; education or exhibition opportunities; and travel.
An exhibition of work produced during the grant period will take place at Northern Clay Center at the conclusion of the grant. Additionally, recipients will provide a brief image talk about their work in conjunction with the exhibition.
Deadline: 5 pm on Friday, February 15, 2019
Apply here: https://www.northernclaycenter.org/artist-services/artist-fellowships/jerome-ceramic-artist-project-grant
For more information, contact Jill Foote-Hutton at [email protected].
Warren MacKenzie Advancement Award
The WMAA, founded in 2014, provides an opportunity for students and emerging artists to continue their ceramic research and education for a period of up to twelve consecutive months within the grant year, further expanding their professional development. This award is available to current undergraduate or graduate students, recent graduates (within one year), or those who have completed a university-equivalent training in ceramics (including apprenticeships) within the year prior to the application deadline.
During the grant year, the recipients can research a new technique or process, study with a mentor or in an apprenticeship setting, travel to other ceramic art centers or institutions for classes and workshops, collaborate with artists of other media, and travel. Proposals to fund large capital equipment purchases will not be accepted. Between one and two cash awards will be made in 2019, up to $3,000 each, for projects taking place between May 1, 2019, and April 30, 2020. Recipients contribute project updates to NCC’s social media and are required to give a public presentation at their school or other institution. See updates from past recipients at northernclaycenter.blogspot.com.
This award is made possible through the support of generous individual and institutional donors in honor of MacKenzie’s legacy of ceramic education, both traditional and non-traditional.
Deadline: Friday, April 12, 2019, by 5 pm.
Learn more and apply here: https://www.northernclaycenter.org/artist-services/artist-fellowships/warren-mackenzie-advancement-awar
Emerging Artist Residencies
The Emerging Artist Residency program encompasses two unique Fellowships, designed to provide up to four ceramic artists with an opportunity to be in residence for one year at Northern Clay Center, where they can develop their own work, as well as exchange ideas and knowledge with other ceramic artists.
Each residency recipient will have a shared, furnished studio space with 24/7 access to NCC’s facilities from September 1, 2019, to August 31, 2020. In addition to the workspace, each fellowship includes a materials and firing stipend and professional development and enrichment opportunities through NCC’s education, exhibitions, and sales gallery programs, for qualified and interested fellows. A group exhibition featuring work produced during the fellowship period will take place in January 2021, at Northern Clay Center, at the conclusion of the grant period. Recipients have the opportunity to present a brief slide lecture on their work in conjunction with the exhibition.
These programs are made possible by generous contributions from several anonymous donors, as well as various secondary market sales at Northern Clay Center, with the intention to nurture the creative expression of aspiring ceramic artists.
If you have questions about the eligibility of your work, or how this residency can be successful for you, please contact the Coordinator of Artist Services and Storytelling, Jill Foote-Hutton, at [email protected].
Deadline: Friday, April 12, 2019, by 5 pm.
Learn more and apply here: https://www.northernclaycenter.org/artist-services/artist-residencies/emerging-artist-residencies-ear
McKnight Artist Fellowship for Ceramic Artists
In its 22nd year of programming, the McKnight Artist Fellowship for Ceramic Artists will support outstanding Minnesota ceramic artists who identify with any methodology: functional, sculptural, relational, all techniques are welcome. The intent of this program is to recognize and support midcareer artists living and working in Minnesota who demonstrate a sustained level of accomplishment, commitment, and artistic excellence.Two $25,000 grants will be awarded in 2019. Fellowship support may be pursued for, but is not limited to: experimenting with new techniques and materials, purchasing materials and equipment, collaborating with other artists, and pursuing education, exhibition, or travel opportunities. The McKnight Fellowship recipients will be featured in a workshop and an exhibition with a corresponding catalogue at the end of their grant year.
This program is made possible by the generous support of the McKnight Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Two $25,000 fellowships annually.
Deadline: Friday, May 24, 2019, by 5 pm.
Find more info and apply here: https://www.northernclaycenter.org/artist-services/artist-fellowships/mcknight-artist-fellowships-ceramic-artists
McKnight Artist Residency for Ceramic Artists
The McKnight Artist Residency for Ceramic Artists program, in its 22nd year at NCC, intends to recognize and support ceramic artists whose work demonstrates exceptional artistic merit, who have already proven their abilities, and are at a career stage that is beyond emerging. The program is intended to provide these ceramic artists with an opportunity to be in residence for three months at Northern Clay Center, where they can develop their own work and, at the same time, exchange ideas and knowledge with Minnesota ceramic artists. Up to three, 3-month residencies will be awarded in 2019, to take place during the 2020 calendar year, through a competitive application process. NCC will invite one or two other artists through a nominative process.
Each resident artist will receive a $6,000 award (for a three-month residency), studio space provided at no cost, and a glaze and firing allowance. During the residency, each artist will present a public lecture/workshop, for which he or she will receive an additional honorarium. At the culmination of the grant period, recipients will be featured in a catalogue and group exhibition at Northern Clay Center. The exhibition will travel to 3 – 5 sites around the state of Minnesota. Recipients are also required to submit a final report at the end of the grant period.
This program is made possible by the generous support of the McKnight Foundation, Minneapolis. Up to four, $6,000 residencies awarded annually.
Deadline: Friday, May 24, 2019, by 5 pm.
Learn more and apply here: https://www.northernclaycenter.org/artist-services/artist-residencies/mcknight-artist-residency-ceramic-artists