"Ideal Made Real" Exhibition!

The exhibition Ideal Made Real: MN NICE is up in the Vine Arts Gallery through April 8, 2019. The show features the work of program Alumni and Affiliate Artists and celebrates MN NICE’s fifth anniversary. The exhibition is on display during Claytopia, the 2019 National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Conference held in Minneapolis. 

Installing

MN NICE alumni worked hard this week to install their stunning exhibition at the Vine Arts Center Gallery. They transformed the space! The exhibition highlights work from program graduates as well the work of Affiliate Artists who mentor students throughout the year.

Sledding!!

The NICE artists went out to Linda Christianson's for a studio tour and a great conversation around her kitchen table. Linda had sleds waiting at the top of her driveway for us to take down the hill on a perfect February day in snowy Minnesota.

Jeff Oestreich Studio Visit

The NICE students headed out to Jeff Oestreich's on a recent wintery night for a potluck and studio tour. We got to see Jeff's collection of historical pots from three impressive Bartmann jugs he has in the corner of his dining room to a Michael Cardew platter by the door, and we had a lovely dinner with lots of stories and laughter. Jeff currently has the treadle wheel Leach used in his studio and many of us jumped on the opportunity to try it out.

Visit to Steve Rolf's Studio

The NICE group visited Steve Rolf in River Falls, WI this week. Steve has met with many in the group individually this year, so it was great to see another aspect of his life as an artist and hear him talk about his work.

Fall Critique

MN NICErs had a thoughtful group critique to end the block. Mike Helke, local potter and a MN NICE Affiliate Artist, joined us for the discussion.

Steve Rolf Studio visit

The MN NICE group visited Steve's studio this week. In addition to discussing pots, we talked about ways of building a business that is sustainable and fits into larger life goals. Steve is an Affiliated Artist with the NICE program and meets for individual studio visits, so it was great to get a glimpse into his working process.

Mixing Slip with Joel

Joel Froelhe, local artist, educator, and materials-expert, was at our Monday class this week to give a lecture on casting slips. Who ever thought deflocculation could be this much fun.