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.
Connee Mayeron-Cowles (1949 - ) grew up in Saint Louis Park, studied pottery at the University of Minnesota under Curt Hoard and Warren MacKenzie, and was a co-founder of the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. In this interview, Mayeron-Cowles discusses her childhood; ceramics education; her introduction to the pottery community in Minnesota; and her 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, Warren MacKenzie (1924-) discusses his childhood and early experience with art; being drafted in 1943; his early ceramic education and studies at the Chicago Art Institute; his first wife, the late Alix MacKenzie, who was also a ceramist; studying in England under renowned potter Bernard Leach; Korean and Japanese influences; setting up his studio near Stillwater, Minnesota; teaching at the University of Minnesota; meeting his second wife, the late fiber artist Nancy MacKenzie; and his involvement with the Minnesota Craft Council and 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.
Janet Koplos is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Journalism and Mass Communications and earned a masters degree in art history from Illinois State University. She has been writing regularly on all art mediums for 25 years, in newspapers, magazines, catalogs and books. In this interview, Koplos discusses her early interactions with potters from Minnesota while at the University of Minnesota; perceptions of the local and national ceramics field; her life as a journalist and art critic; and experience as a visitor to 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.
Guillermo Cuellar (1951 - ) was born in Maracaibo, Venezuela, grew up in Caracas, and came to the United States to attend high school. He subsequently studied ceramics at Cornell College in Iowa. After graduation he returned to Venezuela and started making studio ceramics in 1980. In 1981 he worked as assistant to Warren MacKenzie, who was teaching in Caracas and with whom he regularly shared workshop experience from 1984 to 2006. In 2005 Cuellar moved to the upper St. Croix river valley near Shafer, Minnesota, where he established a home and studio. He joined the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour as a host potter in 2009. In this interview, Cuellar discusses his ceramics education in the United States and subsequent practice in Venezuela; his introduction to the pottery community in Minnesota; 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.
Linda Christianson (1952-) grew up in Barron, Wisconsin, and studied ceramics at Hamline University (St Paul, Minnesota), and the Banff Centre School of Fine Arts (Banff, Alberta, Canada), before returning to Minnesota to start her own ceramics studio and co-found the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. In this interview, Christianson discusses her childhood; ceramics education; her connections to the local and national pottery communities; and her 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.
Robert (Bob) Briscoe (1947- ) grew up in Kansas City, Kansas and studied pottery with James Vandergriff in Zarah, Kansas, then with Lou Wynne in Colorado Springs, before moving to Minnesota where he established his pottery studio and co-founded the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. In this interview, Briscoe discusses his childhood; ceramics education; his introduction to the pottery community in Minnesota; 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.
Michael Hunt of Bakersville, North Carolina, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Linda Christianson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Hunt was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Sam Taylor from Worthington, Massachusetts was a guest at the studio of Minnesota potter Will Swanson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Taylor was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Image of pottery on display and on a hold shelf on the patio of potter Robert Briscoe's home in Harris, Minnesota. Briscoe is a founding potter and host of the annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. The 22nd annual tour was held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014.
Image of pottery on display and guests shopping at potter Robert Briscoe's home in Harris, Minnesota. Briscoe is a founding potter and host of the annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. The 22nd annual tour was held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014.
Suze Lindsay of Bakersville, North Carolina, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Robert Briscoe during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Lindsay was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Steven Hill from Independence, Missouri, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Richard Vincent during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Hill was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Steven Young Lee from Helena, Montana, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Jeff Oestreich during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Lee was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Silvie Granatelli from Meadows of Dan, Virginia, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potters Will Swanson and Janel Jacobson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Granatelli was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Shoko Teruyama from Marshall, North Carolina, originally from Japan, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Connee Mayeron-Cowles during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Teruyama was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Sandra Byers from Rock Springs, Wisconsin, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Richard Vincent during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Byers was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Richard Hensley from Floyd, Virginia, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Richard Vincent during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Hensley was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Randy Johnston and Jan McKeachie Johnston of River Falls, Wisconsin, were guest potters at the studio of Minnesota potter Linda Christianson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. The Johnston's were two of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Mike Helke of River Falls, Wisconsin, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Linda Christianson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Helke was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Michael Hunt of Bakersville, North Carolina, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Linda Christianson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Hunt was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Matthew Metz of Alfred Station, New York, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Robert Briscoe during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Metz was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Mary Roettger from St. Paul, Minnesota, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Jeff Oestreich during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Roettger was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
