Lynsi Pasutti
www.Lynsi-Pasutti.com

Enjoying the process of hand building, I construct simple yet interesting slab forms to create both functional and decorative pottery. I find beauty in nature and simple objects that have the ability to be reused and transformed into texture and surface design when pressed into clay; I incorporate prairie grasses to create miniature landscapes and thrifted doilies to mimic the intricacies of the natural world. My work tends to look 'earthy' as I have chosen to use brown clays and often celebrate the material by leaving portions unglazed. The raw clay color and texture adds another layer to a decorative piece that may be partially glazed, typically with a brown or green glaze. I primarily fire my work in an electric kiln, but wood fire whenever I can.

Over the years, I have noticed that as I spend more time in my garden, my work has naturally evolved beyond nature-inspired surface design to embrace nature-inspired function as well: budvases, planters, and garden markers are new additions to the list that already consisted of vases, prairie grass wall boxes, and stamped trays. Of course, one must also include the cups and plates that complement the harvest!

Dan Sorensen

After graduating from High School in Garnavillo, IA Dan attended Luther College in Decorah, IA where he studied Art with a concentration in ceramics under Dean Schwarz. Following graduation with Deanâs recommendation, Dan enrolled at Pond Farm Pottery in Guerneville, CA where he studied under the master potter, Marguerite Wildenhain. Because of Marguerite's Bauhaus background and her disciplined approach to teaching, Dan gained an appreciation for craftsmanship and that allows him to concentrate on the creative aspects of his craft.

In the fall of 1968 Dan took a position as art instructor in the Swea City, IA School. Dan met his wife Judy, a kindergarten teacher and they made their home in Swea City where they raised three children. It was in this first home with a stone foundation that Stone Cellar Pottery was born and for thirty five years Dan balanced a career as a teacher and studio potter. Dan retired from teaching in 2003 and now devotes his time to making pottery. Dan has exhibited in numerous shows, most recently the 2002 'Ripples Exhibit' which was shown in three venues in the United States and in 2007, Beyond Pond Farm, The Legacy of Marguerite Wildenhain in Sabastapol, CA. His work is in the collection of the McNider Museum in Mason City, the Pond Farm collection at Luther College, the Nobles County Art Center in Worthington, MN and many private collections.

Rebecca Brandow
www.willowavenuepottery.com

One of the most admirable traits of clay is its ability to be ever-changing and flexible. It can be thrown, rolled, coiled, carved, slipped, glazed, altered, made to be utilitarian or visually aesthetic, fired in a variety of kilns and environments, and after all that, it can last forever.  It can be the most beautifully impressive sculpture or the most humble coffee mug.  This is what I love about working in clay.  I love the trial and error of testing new materials and the elation of a successful firing.  My work is constantly changing as I explore all the options available to clay artists, but I always strive for usefulness and beauty. 

Sometime during middle school, Rebecca discovered the joy of working on a pottery wheel.  Since then, she's always found a way to work in clay.  Now she works full time as a potter with a break every autumn to help her extended family with harvest.  Rebecca and her husband, Brian, live on a rural homestead in Guthrie county with their two dogs, chickens, and a small herd of fiber animals. 

Sheri Heiland

Sheri Heiland studied ceramics at Iowa State University and Central State University in Edmond, OK.  She was honored to apprentice with Karl Christianson of Wilton, Iowa before he retired.  She has been a potter for over 30 years and has been the resident potter in the Cultural Center at the Iowa State Fair for the past 16 years.  Her work is mostly functional with a few bits of whimsy thrown in.  Until she moved 4 years ago, Sheri worked with high fire stoneware. She is currently exploring a new pallet of glazes while firing in an electric kiln at lower temperatures.

Marion Nehmer
www.marionnehmerpottery.com

Growing up I was surrounded with art collected by my parents during her journey across Europe and Japan. Our home was filled with gorgeous silks, ceramics and beautifully hand carved objects that made an impression on me and still influences me in my creative process.

I have been honored by having work published in "500 Plates and Chargers," by Lark Books. I currently work in a studio in Des Moines, where I live.

I create functional fine craft ceramic art that is wheel thrown and altered. I look for inspiration in the human figure and in nature. Human gestures and curves are subtly reflected in my shapes; the curve of a waist, the bend of an arm. An intimate gesture completes the piece; the hand that picks up a cup, pulls it to the lips and drinks.

Following form and function, timeless stoneware and porcelain pieces are created with the intent to be used every day.

Korey Averill
www.kastudios.com

I am a potter currently living and working in Bouton, Iowa. Clay satisfies my passions well; getting messy, creating something useful, and food. Most of my work is functional ware to be used and enjoyed daily. My forms and my palette are inspired by the natural and edible world, family, and childhood memories, with the constraint that they must also have good design and do their job well. I also work to capture some of the process of clay; the wet, fluid form versus the fire. Most of my work is stoneware or porcelain fired to cone 6 (about 2230°F).

Theresa Bockenstedt
www.tbockdesigns.com

 I am Theresa Bockenstedt and that seems to be a mouthful some times so I frequently go by T. Bock.  I started creating ceramic projects in high school and then moved on to pursue a career of dental hygiene.  After being a dental hygienist since 2004, getting married, and becoming debt free I am finally able to try to pursue a dream...  to be an artist.
My pieces are my labors of love.  Pure emotion in times of strength, weakness, and hope for my future.  I focus on making functional pieces because it makes my life happier to interact with beautiful things on a daily basis.  My work varies from cups, bowls, salt and pepper cellars, jars, vases and serving dishes, but honestly I couldn't tell you what I'm going to come up with tomorrow.  Most of my work is fired to cone 6, sometimes cone 10, and is food, dishwasher and oven safe.

Linda Folden
www.lindafolden.com

I was born in Macau and raised in Hong Kong and have lived in the United States for many years.  Drawing inspiration from my life experiences all of my pieces represent a piece of who I've been, who I am, and most importantly who I am becoming.  Each piece reflects my thoughts, feelings, reflections, and emotions.  From functional pieces with hand carved motifs to figurative dancers and children playing…each piece highlights the memories, and emotions that many people have experienced, the jubilation of a child's first step, the loss of a longtime friend or loved one, pieces that inspire hope and purpose, and pieces whose quiet subtleties provide a calm understated beauty that only brightens that which it surrounds.  Using pinch pot, coil, slab built, carving and cutting techniques I hand create each piece while employing various glazes, stains, oxides to enhance each timeless work of art.

John Merkel

In addition to an MFA in ceramics and glassblowing from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, I also served an 18 month apprenticeship at "Pottery Zaalberg" Leiderdorp, The Netherlands and worked for six months with Tadashi Kawai Mukomatchi, Japan. My stoneware is utilitarian, uniquely designed and reasonably priced. I am currently a Dahlquist Studio Artist in Des Moines, IA

Alex Wilson

Scottish by birth and nature,  I make domestic and commemorative ware at my pottery workshop in Shipley, that preserves and develops the tradition of rural slip decorated pottery, while bringing some delight in its everyday use.

Eric Peterson

Housed in a new barn located on his property, Eric Peterson is known for his functional kitchenware as well as wood fired pottery and local material glazes. The barn houses both a gallery and working studio.

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