Photo by Max Bjorklund
When shopping for home decor or kitchenware, one category to consider is ceramics—a versatile product made from natural material that can be crafted and styled countless different ways. Whether it’s a tall, sage green vase or a striking set of maroon plates and bowls, the types of pottery one can find for their home are vast and diverse—not to mention every ceramicist often has their own unique style infused into their pieces.
For homeowners in the Twin Cities, there are several local makers and artists to consider—and by purchasing pieces from multiple artists, you can create a personal collection of one-of-a-kind works that serve both form and function. Or, if you’re interested in taking it a step further, several studios across the metro offer one-day or multiweek classes to make your own pieces. What’s cooler than serving dinner on a plate you made yourself from start to finish?
The Artists
Alana Cuellar is a Venezuelan American potter based in Wisconsin who has sold her pieces at various markets and events in and around the Twin Cities, including the annual holiday market held at Alma on University Avenue. You can also find her work at the Guillermo Cuellar Pottery showroom in Shafer, the Grand Hand Gallery in St. Paul, and online at Schaller Gallery. Her pieces are made for everyday use and include uniquely designed cups, bowls, jars, vases, soap dishes, plates, and other goods featuring earthy shades of greens, browns, and oranges. What’s more, her work will be showcased at the Mill City Farmers Market in Minneapolis on select dates this year—July 25, August 22, and September 25.
Alex Chinn is the owner of Twin Cities-based Ceramic Chinn and produces his work out of both his own home studio and the Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis. He also teaches pottery at the White Bear Center for the Arts in White Bear Lake and the Minnetonka Center for the Arts in Minnetonka. Shoppers can find his work for sale at the Northern Clay Center’s retail gallery, where they might spy various cups, mugs, and plates. He also specializes in interior tiles for kitchens, bathrooms, or fireplaces; house numbers; garden art; and other table and homeware.
Other Twin Cities ceramicists to consider include Ingrid Sundstrom, Chris Singewald Pottery, Grace Pass, and Lee Zimmerly of Emmaeli Pottery.
Studio Classes
For those who want to take it up a notch and try their hand at making their own custom ceramic pieces, there are several studios around the Twin Cities that offer various class options. Single-day classes work best for beginners, and weekly sessions cater well to those who have developed more advanced skills.
Mudluk in Minneapolis’ Whittier neighborhood is a Black-, queer-, and woman-owned studio founded by Sayge Carroll, Katrina Knutson, and Keegan Xavi. The studio’s Clay Dates include options for families, couples, friends, and those going solo. Participants can also choose to schedule a private, one-on-one session with a Mudluk instructor to hone their skills. Weekly classes include handbuilding and wheel-throwing options, the former of which has participants working with clay freehand, while the latter uses a wheel to sculpt each piece. Wheel-throwing classes can be selected by day of week and time of day; and all range between three and four weeks in length (one class per week, amounting to three or four classes total).
Photo by Pao Minneapolis
Dock 6 Pottery in St. Anthony provides options for one-day classes, such as the Clay Date, Wine Night, Hand Building, and Queer Wine Night. The Clay Date and wine night courses include two hours of wheel throwing, and participants can take home up to three pieces. Guests of the wine night classes must be at least 21 years old, and all one-day sessions are $75 per person. Available weekly classes include a four-week course tailored to beginners ($275 per person), and a six-week course for more intermediate skill levels ($385 per person).
Other local studios in the Twin Cities to consider for classes include The Workshop Minneapolis, The Clay Pit, Forma Clay, Midway Clay, and Northern Clay Center.
Read this next: Telling Stories With Tile: In Conversation With Emily Pueringer
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