Richard Vincent (1955-) grew up in White Bear Lake and studied pottery in high school and at Lakewood Community College in Minnesota. In this interview, Vincent discusses his childhood; ceramics education; teaching experience; the establishment of his studio in North Branch; faith and religious experiences; and his thoughts on the past, present and future of the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. This interview was conducted by local oral historian and PhD Candidate from the University of Minnesota Anduin Wilhide. ""A Measure of the Earth: An Oral History of the Potters of the St. Croix River Valley"" explores the anomalous community of potters in Eastern Minnesota who host an annual cooperative tour for participating ceramic artists from around the world. This annual three-day event attracts art enthusiasts from across the country. Together the project's ten oral history interviews, representing diverse perspectives from within the local pottery community, tell the story of how, from the 1950s to today, Minnesota�s St. Croix River Valley has developed into a major center for pottery, and a destination for thousands nationally.
Will Swanson (1947-) grew up in Minnesota and studied ceramics, art and design at the University of Minnesota. After working at Fairview Hospital for fifteen years, Swanson married Janel Jacobson and began making pottery full-time at their home studio in Sunrise Township, Minnesota. He also helped co-found the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. Janel Jacobson (1950-) grew up in various parts of Minnesota and studied ceramics at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa before establishing her own studio in the St. Croix Valley. After graduating, she studied studio pottery techniques with renowned Bauhaus artist Marguerite Wildenhain, but soon adopted her own style of carving small sculptures in clay. In 1995, Janel stopped carving in stoneware and porcelain and began using wood. In this interview, Swanson and Jacobson discuss their respective childhoods; ceramics education; connections to the local and national pottery communities; and thoughts on the past, present and future of the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. This interview was conducted by local oral historian and PhD Candidate from the University of Minnesota Anduin Wilhide. ""A Measure of the Earth: An Oral History of the Potters of the St. Croix River Valley"" explores the anomalous community of potters in Eastern Minnesota who host an annual cooperative tour for participating ceramic artists from around the world. This annual three-day event attracts art enthusiasts from across the country. Together the project's ten oral history interviews, representing diverse perspectives from within the local pottery community, tell the story of how, from the 1950s to today, Minnesota�s St. Croix River Valley has developed into a major center for pottery, and a destination for thousands nationally.
In this interview, Jeff Oestreich (1947-) discusses growing up in White Bear Lake; early experiences with music and art; undergraduate education at Bemidji State University; graduate studies with Warren MacKenzie at the University of Minnesota; apprenticeship at the Leach Pottery in St. Ives, England; local and national teaching and exhibition experiences; establishing his studio in Taylors Falls, Minnesota; and his involvement with the founding and legacy of the St. Croix Pottery Tour.
This interview was conducted by local oral historian and PhD Candidate from the University of Minnesota Anduin Wilhide. ""A Measure of the Earth: An Oral History of the Potters of the St. Croix River Valley"" explores the anomalous community of potters in Eastern Minnesota who host an annual cooperative tour for participating ceramic artists from around the world. This annual three-day event attracts art enthusiasts from across the country. Together the project's ten oral history interviews, representing diverse perspectives from within the local pottery community, tell the story of how, from the 1950s to today, Minnesota�s St. Croix River Valley has developed into a major center for pottery, and a destination for thousands nationally.
November 1999 issue of the Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Newsletter. Topics include Fiber/Metal Arts award winners and sponsers and a summary of event attendance, sales, promotion and marketing, and evaluation comments from participating artists; opportunities for art rental, Master Craft Classes, and a spring exhibit; comments from the executive director on MCC's use of forms and paperwork; sympathy message; changes in MCC's call-for-entry procedures; tips for selecting a canopy for displays; MinnesotaCare; calls for entries; information on a copyright lawsuit and how artists can protect their designs; opportunities; member news; exhibits and events; workshops; membership form; annual holiday gift exchange event; and future MCC activities.
November 2001 issue of the Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Newsletter. topics include 16th annual Fiber/Metal Arts award winners and summary of event attendance, sales, artists' evaluations, marketing and promotion, and sponsors; member news; notes from the MCC office; holiday sales; exhibits and events; calls for entries; 'Art with Heart' program for the September 11th Fund; classes and workshops; membership form; annual holiday gift exchange event; and future MCC activities.
May/June 2002 issue of the Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Newsletter. Topics include review of a ceramic glaze workshop with Peter Pinnell; request for input from members on changes in MCC's shows and publications; calls for volunteers for the 30th annual Minnesota Crafts Festival; member news; calls for entries; other information of interest; classes and workshops; exhibits and events; membership form; calls for volunteers for Fiber/Metal and Fall Festival of Fine Craft jury days; and future MCC activities.
May 2000 issue of the Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Newsletter. Topics include calls for volunteers for the 28th annual Minnesota Crafts Festival and a list of volunteer needs; notes from the MCC office on member feedback and organizational projects; a thank-you message to respondents to the 1999 Annual Campaign Fund; member spotlight; MCC and Banner Oak Pottery kiln building workshop; exhibits and events; workshops; calls for entries; membership form; and future MCC activities.
May 2001 issue of the Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Newsletter. Topics include results from the Craft Organization Directors Association survey on the impact of crafts on the national ecomony; organizational planning; calls for entries; other information of interest; exhibits and events; classes and workshops; membership form; calls for volunteers for the 29th annual Minnesota Crafts Festival; and future MCC activities.
February/March 2002 issue of the Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Newsletter. Topics include the Duluth Art Institute Empty Bowl event; a thank-you message to respondents to the 2001-2002 Annual Campaign Fund; member news; ceramic glaze workshop with Peter Pinnell; wood fire workshop; e-commerce survey; calls for entries; grants; other information of interest; membership form; notes from the MCC office; and future MCC activities.
December 1997 issue of the Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Newsletter. Topics include the annual holiday gift exchange event; the annual meeting and "Inspirations" winter conference; announcements of new Board of Directors members; a message on MCC's financial direction; the 1998 Minnesota Crafts Festival; goodbyes to departing board members; holiday gift donations to MCC; letters to MCC; member news; member sale opportunities; workshops and classes; exhibits and shows; membership form; classified ads; and future MCC activities.
August 2000 issue of the Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Newsletter. Topics include 28th annual Minnesota Crafts Festival award winners and a summary of event attendance, sales, artists' evaluations, marketing and promotion, and sponsors; Craft Organization Directors Association survey reminder; Artwear in Motion 2000 event; member spotlight; exhibits and events; calls for entries; membership form; classes and workshops; and future MCC activities.
August 1998 issue of the Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Newsletter. Topics include a thank-you message to participants and volunteers at the 1998 Minnesota Crafts Festival; Fiber/Metal Arts show; Minnesota Crafts Festival award winners; conferences and workshops; MCC's current procedures for bad weather and a request for member feedback on a written bad weather policy; review and evaluation of the 1998 Minnesota Crafts Festival; visiting artist program; ceramic sculpture workshop to be held by Rudy Autio; calls for entries; member news; exhibits and shows; workshops and classes abroad; grant application information; membership form; and future MCC activities.
August 1999 issue of the Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Newsletter. Topics include 1999 Minnesota Crafts Festival award winners and a summary of event attendance, sales, marketing, ammeneties, and evaluation comments from participating artists; Fiber/Metal Arts show; craft fair supply checklist; tips for signs and displays; calls for entries; opportunities; member news; silent auction hosted by the Minnesota Chapter of the March of Dimes; career development workshops; conferences; exhibits and events; membership form; and future MCC activities.
This issue of Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Craft Connection was published in the third quarter of 1989 and is labeled as volume 10, number 3. The issue features a directory of the 17th Annual Minnesota Crafts Festival. Contents include the announcement of a gate fee at the Minnesota Crafts Festival; photos of works by Minnesota Crafts Festival exhibitors; a flyer for a kiln and wheel for sale; a complete list of food vendors, awards, and exhibitors for the Minnesota Crafts Festival; the process for selecting work for the Crafts Festival's exhibition; and jurying at the Crafts Festival.
Volume 25, number 3 of Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Craft Connection was published in the third quarter of 1999. On the front page is a photo of potter Warren MacKenzie, recipient of the McKnight Distinguished Artist 1999 award. Other contents include dates and information for the 27th Annual Minnesota Crafts Festival; Lifetime Achievement Award winner Marcia Anderson; list of artists at the Minnesota Crafts Festival and photos of work; profiles of some Minnesota Crafts Festival artists (Char Bauer, Jeffrey Noska, Erica Schlueter, John Route, Raymond Bock, Sandra Stephens, Susan Monde, and Susan Shinnick); and profiles of MCC artists involved in community efforts (Bob Briscoe, Deb Cooter, and Jeff Zachman).
Volume 17, number 3 of Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Craft Connection was published in the third quarter of 1993. The stories on the front page profile glass artists Jim and Renee Engebretson and jewelry maker LaDes Glanzer. Other contents include various comments about image and self-presentation; potter Paul Eshelman; a list of volunteers and award winners from the 1993 Minnesota Crafts Festival; the second chapter of the beginnings of MCC; the upcoming Fiber/Metal '93 show; a workshop through the Center for Arts Criticism featuring craft specialists, critics, and filmmakers; and a brief summary of a metal workshop with Tim McCreight and the benefits of MCC membership.
Volume 31, number 3 of Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Craft Connection was published in 2003. On the front page is a color photo of a wood sculpture by Janel Jacobson. Other contents include color photos of the Minnesota Crafts Festival at its new venue at the Minnesota History Center and a list of Minnesota Crafts Festival award winners; Twin Cities Market 2003 artists of distinction woodcarver Janel Jacobson and textile artist Nancy MacKenzie; profiles of Twin Cities Market artists Kelly Marshall, Malcom Potek and Kara vanWyk, Lori and Patrick O'Neill, Kim Crocker, and Ernest Miller; and a list of artists participating in the Twin Cities Market and color photos of works.
Volume 21, number 3 of Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Craft Connection was published in the third quarter of 1997. The stories on the front page profile Molly Hibbard's contributions as Minnesota Crafts Festival coordinator and the awarding of a Lifetime Achievement Award to potter Warren MacKenzie. Other contents include Elizabeth Barnard's last issue as Craft Connection Editor; ways MCC is working to benefit members and partner with other organizations; art juries and slide photography; the Minnesota Crafts Festival through the years; Resources and Counseling for the Arts and services it can provide to artists; Fiber/Metal Arts Artists of Distinction Dawn Zero Erickson and Chuck Evans; and a list of exhibitors at the 1997 Minnesota Crafts Festival.
Volume 11, number 3 of Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Craft Connection was published in the third quarter of 1985. On the front page are photographs from outdoor art fairs. Other contents include the art fair season; profile of stained glass artist Susan Larson; discussion of an article in Ceramics Monthly about selling pottery; the 'Architectural Ceramics: Eight Concepts' exhibition in St. Louis; responses from MCC members about outdoor craft fairs; summary of the media show Clay Minnesota; summary of workshops on sales and professionalism; and an exhibition of German textiles at SACK's Gallery.
Volume 29, number 3 of Minnesota Crafts Council (MCC) Craft Connection was published in the third quarter of 2001. On the front page is a color photo of a raku vase by Richard Gruchalla. Other contents include color photos of works and a list of Minnesota Crafts Festival artists; Judith Onofrio as the recipient of the MCC Lifetime Achievement Award; profiles of some Minnesota Crafts Festival artists (Tim Waldusky, Richard Gruchalla, Carrin Rosetti, Bernadette Mahfood, Sarah Dudgeon, Patricia Hickey, Steve Lloyd, and Roger McNear); vendor tips for preparing for art shows; and a walkthrough of how the Minnesota Crafts Festival is planned each year.
