From the Editor: April 2023 Jessica Knapp

Appears in the April 2023 issue of Ceramics Monthly.

There are many ways that artists can and do make a difference in their communities, in the lives of people who experience their work, in the careers of artists who are just starting out, and in the advancement of causes and issues that they value. 

The artists included in this issue have been intentional in building their careers so that they can be inspired and make an impact through the business models they’ve developed, their studio locations, their studio practices, and the ideas infused into their pots and sculptures. Two artists are focused on environmental concerns. Richard Boehnke uses his practice to educate artists on how and why to reduce resource consumption in the studio. Sakari Kannosto employs stories and myths to create sculptures that reflect on environmental themes and sustainability. Their approaches remind me that decisions made in the studio and what we choose to focus on in our research can have an effect on others.  

MadKat Studios, located in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, outside of Pittsburgh, functions both as a private studio for co-founders Madeleine Boucher and MK Noonan and as a community-arts hub that the townspeople are excited about and support. Boucher and Noonan believe strongly in the importance and power of art and are sharing their knowledge and building people’s interest in owning handmade items, while creating a wider audience for local artists. 

Making a difference extends to decisions about personal studio setups and giving back to others as well. While there are obvious environmental benefits to pooling resources in group or cooperative studios, there are also community building and personal growth opportunities. Evelyn Ward and Steffany Tran maintain workspaces in larger shared studios. These are decisions borne of both practicality and a recognition that working on a daily basis with other artists fuels their creativity and provides everyone involved with mutual support. Tran also collaborates with a number of artists in various fields, contributing to their successes. Additionally, as part of her practice, she donates some of her pots to help fund initiatives at grassroots organizations, including grocery delivery for the elderly. 

Making a difference in a community also happens through the influence and flow of ideas and feedback among artists, institutions, and the surrounding neighborhoods. The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, planned their first exhibition in their new building, “Making Place Matter,” focus on building lasting ties with their neighbors. In the exhibition review in this issue, D Wood explains how they achieved this through collaborative planning with area residents as well as artists who have ties to the neighborhood and the organization. The result is that both the local people and the organization have had a sizable and positive impact on one another. 

New Leadership

It has been an honor and a privilege to be the editor of Ceramics Monthly for the last 81/2 years and prior to that, to serve in successive editorial roles for the magazine starting in 2008. The magazine you hold in your hands or are viewing on your screen is the product of team effort, crafted by the people listed on the masthead each month, Kerry Burgdorfer, Kaitlynne Flanigan, Holly Goring, and Katie Reaver, who are the most perceptive, skilled, dedicated, and diligent individuals I have ever worked with. I have thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with them to create each issue of the magazine. 

After this issue, I will be stepping away from my role as editor to pursue a new opportunity, and Katie Reaver will take the helm as the interim editor of Ceramics Monthly. I leave knowing that the magazine is in great hands. Katie has worked on the magazines since 2018, acquiring, editing, and even writing articles over the years, contributing to your experience as readers for close to 50 issues. I am excited to see Katie step into this role, and can’t wait to see how her perspective on and expertise in the field, creativity, and understanding of the readers informs the content moving forward. 

It has been a great honor to serve the ceramics field and work with the exceptional contributing authors and artists, as well as the dedicated staff here and at the many arts institutions that provide information and images for each issue of Ceramics Monthly.  

With immense gratitude,