Talking Clay 6: Carole Epp, Roberto Lugo, Forest Lesch-Middelton, Michael Strand

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In this episode of Talking Clay, Simon Levin sat down for dinner with four talented ceramic artists who were recognized by Ceramics Monthly and Pottery Making Illustrated as Artists of the Year—Carole Epp, Forrest Lesch Middelton, Roberto Lugo and Michael Strand. The Artists of the Year designation is awarded each year to artists who are setting an example for ceramic artists by embracing community-focused practices, and current trends in technology, studio, and marketing in the Ceramic Arts Yearbook and Annual Buyers Guide. The conversation quickly became a discussion of the relevancy of ceramics in today's world, the importance of expanding diversity and inclusivity within our field, and so much more.

Total runtime: Approximately 1 hour, 12 minutes

About the Author

Simon Levin

Julia Galloway Julia Galloway is a utilitarian potter, director of the School of Art and professor at the University of Montana, Missoula. Julia was born and raised in Boston. She earned her BFA at New York State College of Art & Design at Alfred University and her MFA at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Julia has exhibited across the United States, Canada, and Asia and her work is included in the collections of numerous museums including the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and the Long Beach Art Museum in Long Beach, California. She has served on the boards of the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts and The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts. To learn more about Julia, please visit www.juliagalloway.com. Simon Levin Simon Levin has been working in clay since 1990, when an elective ceramics course in college changed the direction of his life, leading to an M.A. and an M.F.A from the University of Iowa. He is a full time studio potter working exclusively with wood firing. His award winning work is exhibited internationally, and appears in several contemporary ceramic books. Simon is a writer for many ceramic journals, and in 2013 he traveled to Taiwan as a Senior Fulbright scholar researching local materials. As a kiln builder Simon has built wood fired kilns for both US colleges and universities as well as schools in Taiwan and China. Between 2005 and 2018 his apprenticeship program started has trained and influenced 17 young potters. A resident of Wisconsin for 18 years, Simon has recently moved to Pawnee, Illinois, where he is currently re-establishing his pottery. To learn more about him or see more images of his work, please visit www.simonlevin.com.

Unfamiliar with any terms in this video? Browse our glossary of pottery terms!

Topics: Interviews & Conversations, Talking Clay

CLAYflicks Video Topics

Beginner Pottery Techniques

Intermediate Pottery Techniques

Advanced Pottery Techniques

Ceramic Decorating Techniques

Ceramic Glazing Techniques

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Ceramic Sculpture

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Wheel Throwing Techniques

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Talking Clay 6: Carole Epp, Roberto Lugo, Forest Lesch-Middelton, Michael Strand Simon Levin