Artist: Kristin Pavelka
Kristin Pavelka, MINNESOTA
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I make decorative utilitarian pottery, focusing on dinnerware and small serving pieces. My kitchen utensils combine clay handles with refurbished vintage metal utensil blades, bowls and wire. My pots help celebrate a meal for one or a meal with friends.
I come from a family with skilled hands. My father invents materials aiding in traffic control, my mother is handy with a needle and thread. My paternal grandparents farmed and my maternal grandparents were a carpenter and a seamstress. Given my ancestral surroundings, it makes perfect sense that I would make objects for food.
Many things influence my aesthetic decisions regarding form and surface of my pots. I’m drawn to the rundown architectural forms found on farms and rural communities. In contrast, I love the organic contours of midcentury design. Depression era feed sack fabric patterns and Scandinavian design inform the pattern development for the pot surfaces. Color choices and combinations are derived from the decorative styling of Martha Stewart, fashion trends and sweets. I try to surround myself with objects that pique my interest and in return these objects lend themselves to my imagination and manifest in my pots.
The roots of my work stem from being diagnosed with pre-diabetes. The softness of fat translated into the soft silhouettes of my pots; the overindulgence of sweets related to my focus on dessert dishes and sugary glaze palette. Although visually my pots still lie within this vein of work, currently I’m not interested in making pots about my condition; rather I’m allowing myself the freedom of exploring new techniques to create pots that embrace my idea of beauty.
Most of my pots are made from rich red earthenware clay, layered with white slip and terra sigillata. Pots may be thrown on the wheel, handbuilt from slabs or a combination of both. After mapping out my design in pencil, I draw the patterns using an old dental tool, scratching through the slip to expose the underlying red clay. Multiple layers of glaze are painted and poured to create a depth on the pot’s surface. Each piece is fired a minimum of three times in an electric kiln. A new body porcelain work is being developed utilizing impressed textures and mishima.
EDUCATION
2004 M.F.A., Ceramics, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
2000 B.A., Cum Laude, Studio Art, Carleton College, Northfield, MN
CURRENT POSITIONS
2018 Independent Contractor, Ceramics, Hopkins Continuing Education, MN
2015-current Faculty, Ceramics, Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Wayzata, MN
2014-current Instructor, Ceramics, Eden Prairie Art Center, MN
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2011-2014 Faculty, Ceramics, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
2010-2014 Instructor, Ceramics, White Bear Center for the Arts, White Bear Lake, MN
2010-2011 Studio technician, White Bear Center for the Arts, White Bear Lake, MN
2004-2009 Visiting Assistant Professor of Art- Ceramics, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN
2004 Instructor- Drawing, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA; summer session
2003 Teaching Assistant- Liz Quackenbush, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
Teaching Assistant- John Utgaard, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
Instructor- Ceramics, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA; summer session 2002 Teaching Assistant- John Utgaard, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
2001 Pottery Assistant- Clay Bay Pottery, Ellison Bay, WI; summer
2000-2001 Art Department Associate- Carleton College, Northfield, MN; academic year
1999-2000 Studio Assistant- Tim Lloyd, Carleton College, Northfield, MN; academic year
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2018
Western Wisconsin Pottery Tour, S.C.Rolf Studio, River Falls, WI
Art-a-Whirl, Studio 170, Northrup King Building, Minneapolis, MN
artOPENer, Marjorie Wade studio, Afton, MN
2017
Kahvipaussi: Kristin Pavelka, solo show, Finlandia University Gallery, Houghton, MI
Both Artist and Mother, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT
Mugged, Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield, MN
Summer Residents Exhibition, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT
A Culture of Pots: The 25th Anniversary of the St. Croix Pottery Tour, Weisman Art Museum, MN
2016
Western Wisconsin Pottery Tour, S.C. Rolf pottery, River Falls, WI
Cannon Valley Pottery Tour, guest at Chris Holmquist pottery, Northfield, MN
2015
Both Mother and Artist, Jamestown Art Center, Providence, RI
2014
Presenters Exhibition, Kentucky Mudworks, Louisville, KY
Guerilla Mug Assault, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
2013
Art at Ramsey, Ramsey Jr. High, St. Paul, MN
Duets, Clay Art Center, Port Chester, NY
Freshen Up, Seasons on St. Croix Gallery, Hudson, WI
For the House and Garden, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI
Stockholm Art Festival, Stockholm, WI, Merit Award
Bluegrass Bourbon: By the Glass/By the Ounce, Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, Louisville
2012
Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition, State Fair Fine Arts Building, St. Paul, MN
Pots at Rest, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
8 Fluid Ounces, Glassell Gallery, LSU School of Art, Baton Rouge, LA
2011
Minnesota Nice, Lillstreet, Chicago, IL
Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition, State Fair Grounds Fine Arts Building, St. Paul, MN
Upper St. Croix Pottery Tour, Linda Christianson Pottery, Lindstrom, MN
2010
La Mesa, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM
Mom Show, Turman/Larison Contemporary Gallery, Helena, MT
Upper St. Croix Pottery Tour, Linda Christianson Pottery, Lindstrom, MN
2009
Salad Days, Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts, ME
Butter, Red Lodge Clay Center, Red Lodge, MT
Upper St. Croix Pottery Tour, Linda Christianson Pottery, Lindstrom, MN
Sugarcraft, Whollycraft, Columbus, OH
20 Below- 32 Above, Rolland Dille Gallery, Minnesota State University Moorhead, MN
2008
Minnesota Women Ceramicists, Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield, MN
From One Hand to Another, Guilford College, NC
Nature/Nurture, Two person show, Gallery 2, Phipps Center for Arts, Hudson, WI
Naturally Finnish/Luonnollisesti Suomalainen, Duluth Art Institute, Duluth, MN
SugarCraft, Kasia Kay Gallery, Chicago, IL
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Market House Craft Center, Lancaster, PA
Speaking Low-Surfaces in Earthenware, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
DinnerWorks, Louisville Visual Art Association, Louisville, KY
2007
90 Teapots that Pour, Invitational, Xen Gallery, St. Louis, MO
Artist-in-Residence Exhibition, Goshogawara Woodfire Festival, Kanayama Gallery, Goshogawara, Japan
Functional Forms: Exploring Meaning and the Handmade Vessel, Clara M. Eagle Gallery, Murray State University, Murray, KY
2006
30 x 5, AKAR Design, Iowa City, IA
Style & Function: National Ceramics Invitational, Blue Spiral 1, Asheville, NC
Blue Grass Clay National, Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, KY; third place award
New Moon Young Ideas, Danforth Gallery, Livingston, MT
Earthenware, Santa Fe Clay, Santa Fe, NM
Feats of Clay XIX, Lincoln Arts Center, Lincoln, CA
2005 at the Bray, NCECA 2006 Invitational Exhibition, The Hoffman Gallery of Contemporary Art, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR
2005
Three Jerome Artists, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
When it Rains, We Pour: Teapots From Portland Collections, Contemporary Crafts Museum & Gallery, Portland, OR
16 Women: 16 Perspectives, Red Star Studio, Kansas City, MO
13 + 1: Chris Staley and Penn State Alumni Show, Works Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Annual Archie Bray Resident Exhibition, Kolva Sullivan Gallery, Spokane, WA
Archie Bray Foundation Summer 2005 Exhibition, Warehouse Gallery, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT
Feats of Clay XVIII, Lincoln Arts Center, Lincoln, CA; purchase award
2004
Spam, MFA Thesis Show, Zoller Gallery, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA
Celebrating Tim Lloyd: Eight Artists Return, Boliou Gallery, Carleton College, Northfield, MN
2002
Feats of Clay XV, Lincoln Arts, Lincoln, CA; merit award
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Clay & Cuisine, Ed. Holly Goring,The American Ceramics Society, 2017.
Handbuilding Techniques, Ed. Bill Jones, The American Ceramics Society, 2015.
Glazing Techniques, Ed. Anderson Turner, The American Ceramics Society, 2015.
“Working Potters”, Ceramics Monthly, June/July/August 2015, pg 48-50.
“Art of Dining”, Ceramics Monthly, Jan 2013 issue, image
500 Teapots, Lark Books, 2013
“Upcycled Utensils”, Pottery Making Illustrated, Nov/Dec 2012 issue, Cover image, pgs
“Deep Plates”, Pottery Making Illustrated, Sept/Oct 2011 Issue, pg 17-21.
500 Vases, Curated by Julia Galloway, Lark Books, 2010.
500 Plates, Platters and Chargers, Curated by Linda Arbuckle, Lark Books, 2008.
SELECTED RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
2017 Resident Artist, Red Lodge Clay Center, MT, two weeks
2016 Next Step grant, Metropolitan Regional Art Council, MN
2013 Merit Award, Stockholm Arts Festival, Stockholm, WI
2012 Artist Initiative Grant, Minnesota State Arts Board
2010 Red Wing Collector’s Society Fellowship, Northern Clay Center, MN
2009 Kiln God Fellowship, Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts, ME
Resident Artist, “Terracotta Warriors”, Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts, ME
2007 Artist-in-Residence, Goshogawara Woodfire Festival, Tsugaru Kanayama Pottery, Goshogawara, Japan
2006 Faculty Development Grant, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN
Faculty Travel Grant, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN
2005 Jerome Project Grant, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
Faculty Research Grant, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN
Summer Resident, Archie Bray Foundation
2002 Merit Scholarship, Penland School of Crafts
Graham Fellowship, Pennsylvania State University
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Gould Library, Carleton College, Northfield, MN
Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Helena, MT
Tsugaru Kanayama Pottery, Goshogawara, Japan