2018-2019 Apprentice to Ellen Shankin

In 2018 I moved to Floyd, Virginia to be an apprentice potter with Ellen Shankin. There I spent the year and a half improving my ceramic skills by working in a professional studio.

Moving to the Blue Ridge Mountains, I utilized other firing techniques from wood and soda firing options I had begun to use as a crutch in my work. I was expecting the kiln to do the work for me. Removing these aspects of the kiln from my work made me slow down and consider each piece holistically and visually.  

In my time in Virginia, I learned what was important to me in my work but ultimately what I value in my life and the community where I want to live. This has made me excited to start creating a studio myself to share with other potters and learn more about the material together. 

I am always open to discuss my time as an apprentice and the skills and ideas I learned in that time. Other ceramic artists that are interested in learning more about apprenticing please reach out and I can offer mentorship based on my experiences.