Photo by Max Bjorklund
When shopping for items such as home decor or kitchenware, one category to consider is ceramics—a versatile product made from natural material that can be crafted and styled countless different ways. Whether it’s a tall, sage green vase or a striking set of maroon plates and bowls, the types of pottery items one can find for their home are vast and diverse—not to mention every ceramicist often has their own unique style infused into their pieces.
For those in the Twin Cities, there are several local makers and artists to consider—and by purchasing pieces from multiple artists, you can create a personal collection of one-of-a-kind works that serve in both form and function. Or, if you’re interested in taking it a step further, several studios across the metro offer one-day or multiweek classes to make your own pieces. What’s cooler than serving dinner on a plate you made yourself from start to finish?
Alana Cuellar is a Venezuelan-American potter based in Wisconsin who has sold her pieces at various markets and events in the Twin Cities, including the holiday market held at Alma on University Avenue. You can also find her work at the Guillermo Cuellar Pottery showroom in Shafer, the Grand Hand Gallery in St. Paul, and online at Schaller Gallery. Her pieces are made for everyday use and include uniquely designed cups, bowls, jars, vases, soap dishes, plates, and other goods featuring earthy shades of greens, browns, and oranges. What’s more, her work will be showcased at the upcoming St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour taking place May 9-11.
Alex Chinn is the owner of Twin Cities-based Ceramic Chinn and produces his work out of both his own home studio and the Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis. He also teaches pottery at the White Bear Center for the Arts in White Bear Lake and the Minnetonka Center for the Arts in Minnetonka. Shoppers can find his work for sale at the Northern Clay Center’s retail gallery, where they might spy various cups, mugs, and plates. He also specializes in interior tiles for kitchens, bathrooms, or fireplaces; house numbers; garden art; and other table and homeware.
Other Twin Cities ceramicists to consider include Ingrid Sundstrom, Chris Singewald Pottery, Grace Pass of Purple Door Potters, and Lee Zimmerly of Emmaeli Pottery.
For those who want to take it up a notch and try their hand at making their own custom ceramic pieces, there are several studios around the Twin Cities that offer various class options. Single-day classes work best for beginners, and weekly sessions cater well to those who have developed more advanced skills.
Photo by Amanda Christensen
Mudluk in Minneapolis’ Powderhorn neighborhood is a Black-, queer-, and woman-owned studio founded by Sayge Carroll, Katrina Knutson, and Keegan Xavi. The studio’s Clay Dates include options for families, couples, friends, and those going solo. Participants can also choose to schedule a private, one-on-one session with a Mudluk instructor to hone their skills. Weekly classes include handbuilding and wheel-throwing options, the former of which has participants working with clay freehand, while the latter uses a wheel to sculpt each piece. Wheel-throwing classes can be selected by instructor, day of week, and time of day; and all range between three and four weeks in length (one class per week, amounting to three or four classes total).
Photo by Pao Minneapolis
Dock 6 Pottery in St. Anthony provides options for one-day classes, such as the Clay Date, Wine Night, Hand Building, and Mommy & Me. The Clay Date and Wine Night courses both have guests throwing clay on the wheel for two hours, and participants can take home up to three pieces. Guests of the Wine Night class must be at least 21 years old, and both sessions are $60 per person. Weekly classes include the three-week course tailored to beginners ($200 per person), and the six-week course to help participants go from beginner to intermediate skill levels ($350 per person).
Other local studios in the Twin Cities to consider for classes include The Workshop Minneapolis, The Clay Pit, Forma Clay, Midway Clay, and Northern Clay Center.
