Juried by Sandy Simon
© 2012 Lillstreet Art Center 4401 N. Ravenswood Ave. Chicago, IL 60640 Artwork © the artists. Text © Rachel Sampson. Photographs by Joe Tighe Photography. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, or by any electronic or mechanical means, without permission in writing from Lillstreet Art Center. Cover: Jon Glabus, Woodfired Plate, 2012, Best in Show
Top left to right: Jon Glabus, Best in Show; Megan Mitchell, 2nd Prize; Missy McCormick, Honorable Mention
J U R O R’ S S TAT E M E N T
by Sandy Simon
You may notice the preponderance of
viewer or user can feel an affinity with
wood fired work in this show. There
the clay. If interfacing with food isn’t
were many entries in this area. I am also
the intent of the maker, that’s OK, yet,
drawn to it. Because surface decoration
I believe a plate should be an invitation
can be challenging, I recognize that
to come closer, or to “invite use” either
many potters use wood fire as a crutch;
visually, or tactilely.
therefore the “luck of the fire” plays an
ultra important role. Consistent good
a little bit like jurying a painting show,
results, however, require knowledge and
in that one can’t see the dimensions, or
skill as well as an intimate relationship
the “line” quality of the surface, or feel
with the kiln. I may have dis-allowed an
the weight. Yet, all of these elements
entry that was “good” yet, as only one
are important to a plate. A good
entry, it was unknown to me whether it
plate can affect the feeling in a room
was luck or skill.
or enhance the food that is served
on it. For me, a good plate offers a
Color or texture which screams
Jurying a plate show by slides is
“look at me” isn’t what grabs me.
collaboration and is not, in and of itself,
Subtlety of surface and strength of
an installation.
form align best with my sensibilities. I welcome a quiet approach, where the
Sandy Simon is a potter and owner of TRAX ceramic gallery in Berkeley, California.
T H E P E R F E C T P L AT E
by Rachel Sampson
Creating the “perfect plate” is no easy
This fifth annual Lillstreet
feat. The potter needs to measure,
International, “The Perfect Plate”
throw, trim, and glaze their piece in
showcases 43 pieces from 32 North
a very precise and technical manner
American artists. Their works,
or it will inevitably crack, warp, or
selected by juror Sandy Simon,
deform in the firing process. But
contain a subtlety and strength of
more importantly, in pursuit of the
form that creates a unique bond
perfect plate, the artist must meld
between the object and the viewer.
together the qualities of function
The juror makes the significance of
and form to create an object that has
this kind of engagement clear when
deep historical and cultural roots.
she states, “. . . I believe a plate should
The perfect plate must recall upon
be an invitation to come closer, or to
our shared past and unite it with the
‘invite use’ either visually or tactilely.”
rituals of our daily lives to inspire, nourish, and engage us with our surroundings.
While the show’s works all share this
Overall, though they vary in approach,
subtle and inviting nature, they do
shape, and surface design, all the
maintain their own distinctions. For
plates in the exhibition achieve a
example, the wood-fired works reflect
quiet complexity and through careful
a more historical and traditional
study, evolve in front of viewers’
approach that encompass a ritual of
eyes. “The Perfect Plate” gives us a
firing cycles and masterful techniques
range of works to reflect upon on and
that have been practiced by artists
challenges us to think about our own
over the centuries. Other more
criteria for perfection and how an
contemporary pieces, meanwhile,
artist’s skill and creativity can impact
show how artists add to the canon of
our daily lives.
traditional techniques and create new kinds of surface design through the use of inventive glazing, printmaking, decals, and low-firing methods.
Rachel Sampson holds a B.A. from Wittenberg University and an M.A. in Humanities from the University of Chicago. She is an intern at Lillstreet Gallery.
W O R K S A R E P I C T U R E D in alphabetical order by artist name. See back of catalogue for biographies. To inquire about availability or to purchase, please email lillstreet@lillstreet.com.
Michael Ashley Dessert Plates, 2012 Stoneware: Wood/Soda Fired 7 inches round
Noel Bailey Plate Set, 2012 Porcelain: Cone 10 reduction 10 and 6 inches round
Mariana Baquero Small Plate with Flower and Small Yellow and Blue Plate, 2012 Porcelain: Cone 6 Electric 7 inches round
Amanda Barr “Down the Rabbit Hole,� 2012 Porcelain: Electric 17 x 13 x 5 inches
Clinton Berry Plate Set--Wallpaper Series, 2012 Porcelain: Cone 9 Reduction 10 and 8 inches square
Elise Delfield Green Plate, 2012 Red Clay: Cone 4 Electric 10.25 inches round
Nick DeVries Green Snack Plates, 2012 White Stoneware: Cone 6 Electric 6.5 inches square
Mike Gesiakowski Squared Plate, 2012 Red Stoneware: Wood Fired 7.5 x 7.5 inches square
Sandwich Plate, 2012 Red Stoneware: Wood Fired 7 x 7 inches square
BEST IN SHOW
Jon Glabus Plates, 2012 B-Mix: Wood Fired 8 inches round
Mel Griffin Suspicious Birds Dinner Plate, 2012 Earthenware: Electric 11 inches round
White Boar Snack Plate, 2012 Earthenware: Electric 9 inches round
Mirror Drawings, 2012 Graphite and Water Color on Board 6 x 6 inches
Sangeet Gupta Large Wood Fired Plate, 2012 Stoneware: Wood/Salt Fired 17 inches round
Todd Hayes Lunch Plates, 2012 Earthenware: Cone 1 Electric 10.5 inches square
Anna Calluori Holcombe Natura Vita V-2, 2012 Commercial Plate, Laser and Vintage Decals: Cone 018 Electric 4.5 inches square
Tom Jaszczak Dinner Plate, 2012 Red Earthenware: Soda Fired/Cone 4 10 inches round
Red Lunch Plate, 2012 Red Earthenware: Cone 01 7 inches round
Green Lunch Plate, 2012 Red Earthenware: Cone 3 7 inches round
Jay Jensen Crow Platter, 2012 Earthenware: Oxidation 18 x 18 inches
Jake Johnson Dinner Plates, 2012 White Stoneware: Reduction 9 inches round
Kristen Kieffer Large Plate, 2012 Porcelain: Cone 7 Oxidation 10 inches round
Small Plate, 2012 Porcelain: Cone 7 Oxidation 7.25 inches round
Lucien M. Koonce Sushi Plate, 2011 Stoneware: Wood Fired in Anagama Kiln 6.75 x 6.25 inches
Sushi Plate, 2011 Stoneware: Wood Fired in Anagama Kiln 6.5 x 6.25 inches
Justin Lambert Dinner Plates, 2012 Stoneware: 3 Day Anagama Wood Fired 10 inches round
Melissa Lee
African Daisy Salad Plate, 2012 Lowfire, Slipcast, Underglaze, Glaze, Decal and Luster 4.5 inches round
HONORABLE MENTION
Missy McCormick Serving Plate, 2011 Earthenware: Electric 12 inches round
HONORABLE MENTION
Serving Plate, 2011 Earthenware: Electric 10 inches round
SECOND PRIZE
Megan Mitchell Inflated Plates, 2012 Porcelain: Cone 9 Reduction 11 x 8 x 2 inches
SECOND PRIZE
Megan Mitchell Plate, 2012 Stoneware: Cone 9 Salt Fired 11 inches round
CJ Niehaus Proteus Flume, 2012 Porcelain with Pencil: Electric 11.5 inches round
Study in Line, 2010 Graphite on Vellum 12 x 18 inches
Bob Pool Hibiscus Platter, 2011 Stoneware: Cone 10 Reduction 18.75 inches round
Justin Rothshank Poppy Plate, 2012 Earthenware with Decals: Electric 12 inches round
Jan Schachter Slab Plate, 2011 Stoneware: Cone 10 Gas Fired 16.25 x 12.5
Aaron Sober Dinner Plate, 2011 Stoneware: Salt Fired 10 inches round
Kyla Strid “Masquerats,” 2012 Porcelain: Cone 10 Oxidation + Luster 7 inches round
Marjorie Wade Plate with Shell Decoration, 2011 Porcelain: Cone 10 Wood Fired in Anagama Kiln 5.75 inches round
Derek Walter Celadon Plate, 2012 Porcelain: Oxidation 10 x 8 inches
Study in Line, 2010 Graphite on Vellum 12 x 18 inches
Ai Yamamoto Squared Plate/Wave Pattern, 2010 Porcelain: Cone 5 and 6 Oxidation 12.5 inches square
Adam Yungbluth Orange Plate, 2012 Stoneware: Cone 11 Soda 8 x 12 inches
A RT I S T B I O G R A P H I E S Michael Ashley (Almond, NY)
and raised in Southwest Colorado and is
up on a farm in Green County MO,
passionate about exploring the outdoors
where he explored the rivers and
on mountains, cliffs, and rivers. These
streams of the Ozark Mountains. He
environments influence and inspire his
graduated from College of the Ozarks
work and life.
with a BA in Painting and Ceramics then moved to Tachi, Taiwan where he did
Mariana Baquero (New Haven, CT) was
a one-year pottery residency at Tainan
a corporate lawyer until she discovered
National University for the Arts. In 2010
the pleasures of working with clay. She
he graduated from the University of
is currently a Post-Baccalaureate student
Mississippi with an MFA in Ceramics. He
at the University of Florida. Mariana uses
is currently an Adjunct Professor in the
screen printing and laser toner decals
New York State College of Ceramics at
to layer words and images from her
Alfred University and maintains a studio
family’s history, such as old postcards,
in Almond, New York.
love letters and photographs, with colorful underglaze decals and glazes to
Noel Bailey (Montrose, CO) is a
create surfaces that entice the viewer to
utilitarian potter and teacher, having
interact with the object.
recently concluded his Masters of Fine Art degree at Southern Illinois
Amanda Barr (Ames, IA) received a BA
University Carbondale. He received his
and MA in Spanish Literature before
BA in Art Education from the University
turning full time to ceramics. She
of Northern Colorado. Noel was born
currently teaches at Des Moines Area
Community College and works out of her International Academy of Art and personal studio in Ames, Iowa. Amanda
exhibits around the world. Her recent
works with simple porcelain forms and
work depends on the use of current
decorates them with underglaze and
technologies for form and imagery.
block printing patterns and text. Elise Willa Pincu Delfield (Bryson City, After graduate school Clinton Berry
NC) is a studio potter and ceramics
(Ferguson, MO) moved to New York City
instructor in Bryson City, North Carolina.
where he completed an apprenticeship
She received her B.A. In Liberal Arts with
and served as a studio assistant all the
a concentration in Ceramic Arts from the
while working in the gallery. After nine
University of Florida in 1996. From there
years, life’s twists and turns brought him
she continued to develop her pottery
back home to Missouri where he landed
at Eastern Kentucky University, Penland
in St. Louis. Clinton shares studio space
School of Arts and Crafts, Cleveland
at St. Louis Craft Alliance firing the soda
Institute of Arts, Edinboro University of
kiln with a group of talented, amazing
Pennsylvania, and the University of Miami.
potters. Nick DeVries (Minneapolis, MN) received Anna Calluori Holcombe (Gainesville,
a BA in Art with an emphasis in ceramics
FL) received an MFA in Ceramics from
and painting from St. Johns University
Louisiana State University, Baton
in Collegeville, MN. He works out of a
Rouge, in 1977 after receiving a BA in
studio in the Arts District in Northeast
Art Education from Montclair State
Minneapolis, MN. Nick’s current line of
University, NJ, in 1974. She is a Professor
functional white stoneware explores subtle
of Ceramics at the University of Florida,
textures and surfaces, and seeks a balance
Gainesville. She is a member of the
between tight forms and looser edges.
Mike Gesiakowski (Shawano, WI) is a
Mel Griffin (Helena, MT) received her BA
native of Chicago, growing up on the
from Carleton College in 2001 and her
city’s south side. His neighborhood was
MFA from the University of Minnesota
a mix of blue-collar residential homes
in 2011. She is currently the 2012-13 Taunt
and industrial factory grounds. This
Fellow at the Archie Bray Foundation for
environment has influenced his current
Ceramic Arts in Helena, MT. She enjoys
body of work. He attended Northern
making art, spending time with animals,
Illinois University where he graduated
and engaging with the natural world.
with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He spent a year and a half as an apprentice to Simon
Sangeet Gupta (Chicago, IL) works as an
Levin at Mill Creek Pottery in Gresham,
engineer and ceramic artist in Chicago.
WI. Mike is currently in the ceramics
His pieces are primarily wood fired
graduate program at Southern Illinois
stoneware, with forms and surfaces that
University at Edwardsville.
are complimented by the movement of the fire around them. Sangeet feels
Since receiving his AFA from College
that working with his hands in clay, being
of DuPage, Jon Glabus (Lombard, IL)
surrounded by nature while firing wood
continues to pursue independent
kilns, and the wood firing process itself
studies, while working as the Ceramics
provide a perfect balance to city life and
Lab Assistant at Waubonsee Community
crunching numbers for the man.
College. He enhances the gestural quality of clay through wood firing. This
Todd Hayes (Logan, UT) currently lives
process allows the flame and molten ash
and works in Logan, Utah where he is the
to add wisps of color across the surface
Ceramic Studio Coordinator and Adjunct
of the pots, giving the viewer insight into
Faculty Member at Utah State University.
the pots creation.
Prior to his position at USU, he was the
Studio Technician and Associate Faculty
Community College in Inver Grove
Member at Collin College in Plano Texas.
Heights, MN. He lives and maintains a
Todd earned his MFA from Wichita State
studio in rural River Falls, WI where he
University and BFA from Utah State
lives with his wife and potter Wendy
University. His work has been exhibited
Olson and his two sons. His work is
throughout the United States.
functional handbuilt earthenware. Jay works with computers to design the
Tom Jaszczak (Hopkins, MN) holds
forms and surfaces while still valuing the
degrees in biology and in visual art from
importance of the handmade.
Bemidji State University. He studied at Oxford University and served as a studio
Jake Johnson (Spring Mills, PA) received
assistant at the Penland School of Crafts
an MFA in ceramics from Penn State
in North Carolina. In 2011, the artist
University and a BS in sculpture from
received a Jerome Foundation projects
Bradley University. He lives and works
grant and an Artist Initiative Grant from
at his home studio in Potters Mills, PA.
the Minnesota State Arts Board. He was
Jake draws inspiration for his forms and
a summer resident at the Archie Bray
surfaces from nature and seeks to convey
Foundation, and is slated to return to the
that sense of animation and energy
Montana institution in 2012.
through his work.
Jay Jensen (River Falls, WI) received a
Kristen Kieffer (Baldwinville, MA) is
BS from the University of Wisconsin-
a full-time studio potter, workshop
River Falls in Liberal Arts in 1991 and an
leader, and ceramics instructor in
MFA from the University of Minnesota-
Massachusetts. She received her BFA
Twin Cities in Ceramics in 2005. He
from the N.Y.S.C.C. at Alfred University
teaches ceramics and art at Inver Hills
and MFA from Ohio University. Kristen
has work in numerous public and private
often. In addition to holding the Chair
collections, has exhibited her work
of Ceramics position at the Lighthouse
internationally in juried and invitational
ArtCenter, he also maintains an
exhibitions, as well as taught workshops
apprentice program. His investigation
around the country at craft centers and
into reduction cooling high alumina clay
universities.
bodies provides an exciting, new palette of color and texture.
Lucien M. Koonce (Haydenville, MA) was born in Greenville, NC. He studied
Melissa Lee Yungbluth (St. Petersburg,
ceramics at East Carolina University (BFA) FL) resides with her ceramist husband and the University of Iowa (MFA). He
Adam and two pugs: Alien and Sassafras.
maintained a studio in North Carolina
She grew up in New Orleans, a city filled
until moving to western Massachusetts
with the arts and knew she wanted to be
several years ago. Predominantly wood
an artist since she was a child. Melissa
firing with Chris Gustin, and Jeff Shapiro,
earned a BFA in Ceramics and Graphic
his forms demonstrate his interest in
Design from the University of Louisiana
Japanese aesthetics. His pieces are cut
at Monroe, and the moved on to earn an
and, if containers, hollowed out (kurinuki
MFA from the University of Mississippi,
technique) from solid clay.
or lovingly referred to as Ole Miss, in Printmaking. Over the years she has
Justin Lambert (Jupiter, FL) received his
found a way of incorporating all three
BFA from Florida Atlantic University,
disciplines into her work. When Melissa is
and his MFA from Indiana University.
not making pottery she works full time as
He currently resides in Jupiter, FL
the Assistant Curator of Exhibitions at the
where he maintains a home studio,
Morean Arts Center.
and fires his small teardrop anagama
Missy McCormick (Poland, OH) received
CJ Niehaus (Carbondale, IL) received
an MFA from the University of Florida
her BA at Xavier University and is in her
in Gainesville and a BFA from Georgia
final year of an MFA Ceramics program at
Southern University in Statesboro,
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale.
GA. Missy just accepted a position at
A working potter for over 20 years,
Youngstown State University where
she returned to school to delve more
she is an Assistant Professor in the
deeply into her psyche and the earthen
Department of Art. In 2008 her work
materials to express various aspects,
transitioned to low-fire earthenware
consequences and history of humanity.
after over 10 years working with soda-
CJ juxtaposes natural and synthetic
firing and wood-firing stoneware. She
images to create such conversations.
is heavily influenced by the space and detailed patterns in Persian miniature
Bob Pool (Berkeley, CA) is a self-
paintings and Asian floral patterns.
taught potter. His studio is in Berkeley, California. His pots are generally
Originally from New Hampshire, Megan
wheelthrown and fired in a gas kiln to
Mitchell (Logan, UT) holds a BA in
cone 10-11 (2350F). His forms and glaze
studio art from Carleton College, in
patterns are inspired by Asian and
Northfield, Minnesota. In May 2012,
African art and by the natural world.
she earned her MFA in ceramics from Utah State University, and was named
Justin Rothshank (Goshen, IN) is a
USU’s Graduate Researcher of the Year.
studio ceramic artist working in Goshen,
Her work is inspired by the intersection
Indiana. In 2001 he co-founded the
between interior and exterior spaces. In
Union Project, a nonprofit organization
September, Megan will begin a yearlong
located in Pittsburgh, PA. He has worked
residency at the Red Lodge Clay Center.
as a full time studio artist since 2008.
Justin’s work is exhibited in galleries
Society of Arts and Crafts (Boston),
and museum shops around the country
Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts
and has been featured in numerous
(ME); and Grand Hand Gallery (St. Paul).
publications around the world.
He was recently featured in Studio Potter magazine and is a former Penland School
Jan Schachter (Portola Valley, CA)
of Crafts Core Fellow.
has been called a ‘potter’s’ potter. She makes tableware for everyday use; each
Kyla Strid (Athens, OH) graduated with
is a subtle variation of a form - usually
a BFA in ceramics from the University
created in a series. She is a perfectionist
of Alaska Anchorage in 2007. Upon
(as much as the process allows) and is
graduating she adopted a nomadic
constantly searching for surface, color
lifestyle, crossing the country to work
and form that will breathe life and vitality
at Alfred University, the University of
into her pots and delight their users. Her
Nebraska-Lincoln, the Clay Studio of
work offers both a simple background
Missoula, Red Lodge Clay Center, and
for the presentation of food and a lovely
with Andy Brayman in Kansas City. She
object to adorn a home.
is currently making pots, drawing, and working on an MFA at Ohio University.
Aaron Sober (Lincoln, NE) is a studio artist and current MFA candidate
Marjorie Wade (Stillwater, MN) is a
at University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
studio potter from Stillwater, Minnesota.
The recipient of an American Craft
She has taken numerous clay classes,
Exposition Emerging Artist award he
programs and workshops including
has exhibited at: AKAR Gallery (IA),
extensive studies in ceramics at the
Baltimore Clayworks, Schaller Gallery
University of Wisconsin River Falls.
(MI), Carbondale Clay Center (CO),
Marjorie uses different clays and firing
methods allowing the elements of spirit
have been carefully preserved within
–earth, water, fire and air–to affect each
Japanese culture. Her style features slip
piece individually. She is influenced by
decoration applied by hand to thrown or
the pottery and artifacts from primitive
hand-built pottery.
cultures, particularly those of Africa and prehistoric Japan.
Adam Yungbluth (St. Petersburg, FL) holds BFA in Ceramics from Miami University
Derek Walter (Merrillville, IN) received
of Ohio and a MFA in Ceramics from
his BA from California State University,
The University of Mississippi. He has
Sacramento and an MFA from The School
been showing his art work in national
of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is
exhibitions including Strictly Functional,
currently an Assistant Professor at Indiana
Salt & Soda National and the Ceramics
University Northwest in Gary, Indiana.
Biannual 2008. His most recent solo
Derek taught throwing here at Lill Street
exhibition was “Sweet Shenanigans,” a
Art Center in the early 2000’s. He throws,
thesis show that fulfilled the requirements
hand-builds and slip casts as well as
for his terminal degree. - Adam and
performance art using his ceramics.
business partner Matt Schiemann purchased St. Petersburg Clay Company
Ai Yamamoto (Okemos, MI) received a
(SPCC) in October 2010. It is their goal to
BFA in craft from the University of The
maintain the working structure of SPCC
Arts in Philadelphia and studied Post
and work towards improving on both a
Baccalaureate Program at Michigan State
local and national level.
University. She works at her home studio in Michigan. She was born in Hiroshima, Japan and is inspired by traditional patterns in Japanese arts and crafts that