In 1993 Simon Levin fell in love with the movement of flame through a wood-kiln. Its sensuous quality is something Simon seeks to capture in his work. This quest led Simon to an M.F.A. from the University of Iowa. Recently the work explores the deep, dark, primal connections between all of us. Simon owns Mill Creek Pottery in Wisconsin, where he and his apprentices work to advance the cause of wood-fired pottery.

Sara Beth Elkins is a small batch potter working out of her home studio in Lubbock, Texas. Sarah Beth find joy in replicating patterns, textures, and color from daily life and filtering them in and out of her work to create a sense of comfort or nostalgia. Sarah Beth allows her work to transition in color/theme with the seasons to keep things fresh! Sarah finds the composition and marks in her work to be very organic, yet also structured. Each piece dictates it's own path in Sarah Beth's studio, allowing patterns and textures to naturally flow onto the surface. The majority of Sarah Beth work focuses on functionality. Not only does Sarah Beth's want you to enjoy the presence of the pot itself, but also physically incorporate it into your daily routine. Connecting from Sarah Beth's hands to yours.

Helen Levi grew up in the East Village of New York City. Helen's first encounter with clay was as a young child in an after school event. For college she studied photography which became a great compliment to her work as a ceramicist. As an adult she did a number of part-times jobs to make a living as an artist living in New York and teaching pottery classes was one of them. Helen set up her own studio where she makes beautiful stoneware ceramics in Brooklyn.

Ben Jordan was born and raised in the American Southwest. He earned a bachelors degree in Sociology at Northern Arizona University before discovering a passion for clay in 2006. After completing a Bachelors of Fine Art in ceramics at Northern Arizona University he went on to work and apprentice in the city of Groningen, in the Netherlands. After finishing a residency at the Red Lodge Clay Center in 2014, he went on to obtain his Masters in Fine Art in ceramics from Virginia Commonwealth University. After graduate school Ben completed a year long ceramics residency at Pocosin Arts in North Carolina. In September of 2017 Ben will be headed to Montana to begin a long term residency at The Clay Studio of Missoula.

Hannah Lenhart is a recent graduate of Fairmont State University where she both a BA in Ceramics and Sculpture and a BS in Business Administration May of 2017. Since graduation Hannah has been working and living in the beautiful hills of West Virginia in her home studio where she has been busy preparing her studio space, stocking inventory, and transitioning from being a student to starting a small business. Hannah's ceramics career began when she took her first ceramics class her second semester of college, and since then ceramics has been the center of her life. Experimentation plays a huge role in Hannah's studio practice. She enjoys learning and finding new ways to decorate and manipulate clay. Hannah currently works with a cone 6 white stoneware and uses colored slips and carving techniques to decorate her work.

Karrita Renzelmann of Queen Bee Pottery fell in love with clay when her husband surprised her with a pottery wheel for her birthday in 2006. She began with introductory classes at the local college and couldn't get enough of the intrinsic feeling of delight, focus, and comfort that came with placing her hands in clay and creating. It was in the garden that the love of nature and creativity were planted in her heart. This love of unifying the beauty of nature with the creation of functional and decorative pottery is the inspiration for Queen Bee Pottery. The ongoing growth of her relationship with clay is nurtured with excitement and curiosity about how the journey will evolve and change in her lifetime. Karrita continues to be amazed, inspired, and grateful for the connections that her pottery creates with customers worldwide.

Patty Bilbro is a displaced southerner with a craft degree in clay and a BA in Psychology. She has been a resident artist at Odyssey Ceramic Arts and Baltimore Clayworks. Currently, Patty lives in Wilmington, DE and works out of her windowless leaky basement. She loves to teach.

John Newdigate has worked as a professional artist and ceramist since 1991, exploring the properties of many different materials, including metal, paper, fibre, plastic, paint and clay. In ceramics John has specialised in high-fired translucent carved porcelain and reduction-fired celadon glazes. John's work is mostly functional, as it enriches day-to-day life, bringing art and design, imagination and inspiration into otherwise ordinary moments. John does not believe in being different for difference´s sake; instead he has respect for tradition, without being bound to it. The most important theme in John's work, and his constant inspiration, is the ever-changing sea, which has always fascinated John - not just the creatures in it, but also the interplay of light and water. From the ordered chaos of white horses on a choppy sea to the synergy of a school of anchovies, there seems to be enough inspiration in and around the sea and its shores to last many lifetimes.

Lainey Fink Scott is a ceramicist and designer based on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachussetts. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Graphic Design. There she enrolled in a ceramics class and fell in love with clay. After working with design firms in NYC and Boston, she teamed up with her husband/design partner, Ben Scott to form Bluerock Design. After moving to Martha’s Vineyard Lainey’s life shifted—she got back on the wheel and transformed her basement into a pottery workspace. While running Bluerock, her ceramics business has grown. This has allowed Lainey to hone her focus—creating structurally functional pieces that can be utilized every day. You can find Lainey most days arms deep in clay—throw, trim, glaze, repeat.

Nancy Gardner received a BFA in Ceramics from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia 1980 and MFA from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1984.  After that Nancy taught for 3 years in Dayton Ohio.  When Nancy and her future husband decided to get married, she moved to Chicago where they started Nancy Gardner Ceramics, a line of highly decorative, somewhat functional ceramics.  They raised 2 boys, rehabbed some buildings and sent a lot of pots out into the world.  They lived happily ever after and remain there to this very day. 

S. C. Rolf lives and works as a studio potter in River Falls, WI, creating one-of-a-kind functional pots. His work reflects an ongoing search to unite his ideas with the generosity and the intimacy that the functional pot offers.S. C. Rolf holds multiple degrees in Art and exhibits his work nationally and internationally. Rolf has received a number of national and international awards. He lectures and teaches workshops throughout the country. His work has been included in numerous publications, Museum collections, and Kitchens cupboards.

Nikki Mizak is a potter in North Carolina who makes functional pottery featuring hand painted animals and slip trailed texture. Nikki finds inspiration in nature so Nikki features chicken in much of her work. She has a real talent at capturing the individual chicken's personalities on her pots. 

Jon Schmidt is a potter, entrepreneur, adventurer, videographer, photographer, father, and husband. Jon began his pottery adventures in 2010 when he took his first wheel throwing class at Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter, MN.  Jon graduated with a Business management degree. Jon combined his passion for handmade pottery and entrepreneurship skills to purchase the coffee shop, Mocha Monkey in 2011, at 21 years old.   Since then, Mocha Monkey has grown from 1 store and 18 employees to 3 locations, and over 50 employees.  Mocha Monkey uses and sells all handmade Jon Schmidt pottery.  Jon has spent most of his time honing the pottery business, being a husband and father to his 18 month old son, Ryder and seeking out the next adventure.

Ben Carter returns for a third appearance on The Potters Cast. This time he talks about his new book, Mastering The Potter's Wheel. That isn't all that we talk about, but it is a big piece of the action. So Enjoy today's episode with Ben Carter.

Andrew Linderman is a studio potter and former high school chemistry teacher. Originally from the Twin Cities, Andrew currently living and working in Milwaukee, WI. Andrew makes functional pots to make the best moments in life better, to make the mundane moments more enjoyable, and to make the difficult moments more bearable. Andrew uses his background in chemistry to create glazes that are enhanced by the firing process in which he produces his pots. Recently, Andrew has also explored how the wood-firing process affects the surfaces of his pots. Andrew continually strives to create work in which the functionality of a piece is enhanced by its aesthetic and tactile qualities. Andrew graduated from Luther College (Decorah, IA) in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. Andrew has learned his art and craft primarily from George Lowe during his undergraduate studies, S.C. Rolf post-graduation and wood firing from Simon Levin.. Linderman also teaches classes at Cream City Clay in Milwaukee, WI.

Gina Zycher is a studio potter in Los Angeles, California. She has always enjoyed creative pursuits but never felt such a strong pull to create as she did when she started working with clay in 2014. She strives to make pieces that are simple and modern with a bit of character. When not at the studio, Gina likes to cook, dote on her cat, and explore LA.

The Claw and The Sea is the brainchild of two lovers, Ronald Shaw and Jeni Licata. Together, Ron and Jeni create an array of functional and sculptural ceramics inspired by botany, mycology, marine biology, and astronomy. These pieces range from handmade, soda-fired tableware sets like plates, cups, bowls, and serving pieces, to their sea-urchin-themed salt and pepper shakers, starfish Christmas ornaments, or salvaged pallet wood urchin towel racks. Jeni and Ron also have intricately-carved sporenet terrariums with homegrown and propagated succulent plants. 

Kirk Jackson is originally from Lewis Center, Ohio.  Kirk discovered clay, as an expressive material, while studying at The Ohio State University.  While pursuing a BFA there. Kirk had the opportunity to spend a semester in Jingdezhen, China and also did a summer residency at Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts.  After completing his BFA, Kirk worked as Studio Manager at Watershed, participated in the Working Artist Program at Longwood University, was a Resident Artist as well as instructor at Seward Park Clay Studio.  Kirk then became a Long-Term Resident for two years at Red Lodge Clay Center and two years at the Clay Studio of Missoula.  Kirk currently lives and works out of his own studio in Missoula, Montana.

Markus Flach was born in Bamberg, Germany in 1979. He came in contact with pottery during a backpacking trip around the Dingle Island in Ireland in 2014 where his girlfriend paid for a 10 minute mini-pottery class. Markus really fell in love pretty much right away and a few weeks after returning home he bought a pottery wheel.

The following months he learned how to do pottery step by step almost entirely on his own. He purchased his first little electric kiln – then a raku kiln and started experimenting with the different styles of pottery.

Markus is a part-time potter and works at the Family Business (Paper Wholesale Company with 7 Employees) at the same time – giving him the freedom to really concentrate on the things he likes the most in pottery.

His focus is both on doing stoneware pottery and raku. Most of his works sell over the internet thanks to Instagram or facebook.

This year he made a raku film with a talented Filmmaker named Thomas Diroll. In Summer he became a Dad and is now proud father of his second son (first one with his divorced wife).

Adrian King is a potter making functional pottery in Portland, ME. Adrian grew up in New England and learned making pottery in high school. Adrian then pursued a BFA in ceramics as well as worked as an apprentice potter in NC. He now has returned to Maine to make pots and teach adjunct at a local art college.

Keith Hershberger is a potter living in Philadelphia who has made a living working in clay for over 20 years. In 2011 Keith founded the Highland Park Pottery Tour, a neighborhood based tour where ceramic artists invite the public into their homes and studios to view and purchase their work.

Creating pots is for Yoon Surl the ultimate act of consciousness. Rather than letting Youn's unconsciousness drive his art work, Yoon fashions clay into a shape that corresponds to a preconceived vision.

Dave Zackin studied animation at RISD, taught art classes for adults with schizophrenia for a few years, redesigned the recycling stickers for the City of New York, and then got into ceramics. His work, mostly depicting old men with big noses, is often made from greenware and bisquware discarded by others.

Louis Reilly has been making functional pottery since 2008. Louis maintains a steady studio practice and exhibits his work internationally. Louis obtained his BFA in 2009 from the University of Missouri-Columbia and his MFA in 2013 from Utah State University. Louis serves as Studio Coordinator at KC Clay Guild and teaches ceramics at Benedictine College. 

Michelle Miolla is  a potter living in the mountains of North Carolina in a town called Vilas, right outside of Boone. Michelle has her BFA in clay from Appalachian State University. Michelle primarily handbuilds, but also loves to throw on the wheel. Michelle also bartends at Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Boone’s first brewery!

Rosemarie Durr is a Kilkenny based Irish potter who hand throws a range of contemporary stoneware tableware which is designed for everyday use. Rosemarie has a background in design and her distinctive powder blue and buttermilk white glazes are uplifting and fit into every home and lifestyle. The pots are thrown finely and are light to the touch. Rosemarie shares her studio and shop with ceramic artist husband Andrew Ludick.

Zeynep Testoni’s work is inspired by the ocean and natural surrounds of her home in the seaside village of Gerroa, two hours south of Sydney in NSW, Australia. Zeynep has chosen ceramics as her ‘encore career’ after teaching English in secondary schools for almost 30 years. Zeynep's home studio is becoming a thriving local hub for pottery enthusiasts.

David Kenton Kring was born and raised in Frankfort, Kentucky where he grew up in a small family-run men's workwear store. This blue collar atmosphere helped to influence not only David's passion of working with his hands but also his surfaces. David received his BA from Transylvania University focusing in ceramics and mixed media. David then began working for the ceramic distributor Kentucky Mudworks, where he honed his skills as a figurative sculptor and potter. Since then David has exhibited nationally, lectured and demoed at major universities, and has begun curating gallery shows and craft markets. David is currently living in Lexington, Kentucky where he keeps a home studio as a full time working artist.

Daniel Tomcik is a wood fire potter and pizza maker from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dan received his BFA from California University of Pennsylvania. He worked as an apprentice at the Baltimore Clayworks Noborigama, and as summer staff at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts. Daniel is currently the Studio and Grounds Manager at Touchstone Center for Crafts, where he is working to cultivate a community of wood-firing enthusiasts.

Shawna Pincus is a ceramic artist living in Baltimore Maryland with her husband Michael, daughter Amelia, and their cat Bowie. Shawna grew up right outside of Philadelphia and attended school at the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned a BFA in sculptural studies then continued on to Towson University earning her certification in Art Education. Shawna has taught as an art teacher in the public school system, as an adjunct Professor of Art Education for Towson University, instructs adult pottery classes at the Baltimore Clayworks and has led various workshops with adults, children and art teachers. Shawna spends most of her time working in her basement studio creating hand built functional pottery and perfecting her unique style of screen-printing on clay.

Mike Regan is a California native, born in San Diego and raised in the South Bay area. Mike currently works in the movie FX industry creating strange and fantastic creatures, as well as horrifying deaths at the hands of theses creatures. So, why is Mike on the Potter's Cast? Because a year and a half ago, Mike decided to apply his knowledge of sculpture and mold making to ceramics and take up another hobby... Not like he doesn't have too many already!

Lean Van der Merwe has been obsessed with pottery his whole life, and instantly fell in love with wheel throwing after his first class. Lean is ecstatic to share his creations. Each piece is thoughtfully made and glazed individually, and every single one is absolutely unique.

Toni Losey ceramicist from Dartmouth, NS, received her BFA from NSCAD, 2018. While there, Toni's 15 years as a studio potter helped develop a body of sculptural work. Toni has shown at SOFA Chicago, NCECA, and many private and public galleries. Tony was published in Ceramics Monthly and teaches at NSCAD.

Lucy Fagella has a BFA from Alfred University College of Art and Design (1985). Lucy is a full time potter and ceramics instructor. Lucy's work has been included in national juried exhibitions, ceramics publications, and home magazines. Lucy is a founding member of the Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail since it's inception in 2004.

After spending two years as a structural engineering student at Cal Poly State University, Kenny Sing transferred to the Arts department where he focused advertising design and teaching ceramics on the side. Since graduating graphic design remains Kenny's primary occupation in San Francisco, where he is also extremely dedicated to his art of ceramics at Clay By the Bay SF Pottery School.

Christopher St John has been active as a professional artist for 18 years now. Most of Christopher's career has been focused on painting, but in the past year Christopher has switched over to ceramics.

Myrrto Zirini studied interior design and architecture in London where she also worked for 3 years as a consultant at Space Syntax Ltd. In 2004 Myrto returned to her home city, Athens Greece, and worked within architecture and design in multiple areas – urban/public spaces, architecture and interior design (as a partner at aka lab architects) down to the smaller scales of exhibitions, furniture and graphic design. Myrto has also taught at the MA interior design course at Vakalo Art & Design College in Athens. She moved to the island of Corfu in 2012. Myrto went on a six month period learning ceramics with a local potter in Corfu in 2014 and continued learning on her own by experimenting with clay.  In 2015 Myrto started her own small studio and production. In 2017 Myrto created a combined studio and showroom in the old town of Corfu, focusing on one of a kind sculptural, organic forms.

Lilly Mandarano is the designer-maker behind The Super Sparrow ceramics. Lilly hand builds ceramic tableware in her studio in Deptford, SE London. Lilly studied Fine Art and then moved into ceramics by change following that. The pieces are designed to reflect a natural, minimal, and relaxed aesthetic.

Michael Hall is from Kansas City, Missouri. He escaped to Tempe, Arizona–earned his BFA from Arizona State University in 2012, worked as a Secondary Ceramics Teacher, and left to work with Steven Hill at 323Clay in Independence, Missouri. Currently, Michael is a MFA candidate at Bowling Green State University.

Hayley Knouff is a self taught potter and owner of Desert Sun Ceramics, a small community clay studio in Moab, UT. Hayley's passion for ceramics and her desire to support art in her rural community are what drive her to create a thriving studio space where all skill levels are welcome.