mark Cortright on wed 13 feb 08
After many studio assistants over the years (most from the Ceramics Dept of local college). It
seems after 6 months or so they quickly realize that this functional pottery business is real work
and then fade away. I realize this lack of work ethic is in most of the younger folks now in other
areas as well. But the seniors from college ceramics do not seem to get the work thing. They
realize soon one cannot make a living at ceramic sculpture very easily. Or throwing is what they
like to do best, but not production work after they see the work involved. Over the past twenty
plus years, I look back and only one assistant went on to become a teacher in art, and she came
from Minnesota to work with me after she had her credentials. In the rest of the pool (over 8-10 )
a few are dabbling in clay very part-time. This is a sad state of affairs for the next generation of
functional potters. Here on the west coast art fair scene where I make my living doing juried art
shows, there are few new young upcoming artists in ceramics. Sure, there are tons of
Photographers - (everyone can print digital now). My fellow potters at shows often talk about this
as we age and few as others seem to be filling in the gaps. Is it the schools teaching them or is it
the lack of work ethic or something else? My long-time teacher friends tell me kids (collage level)
are way more needy than say my 70's generation collage era. Something has gone astray.
I feel so fortunate to have learned clay from on-fire Alfreds graduates as well as a school mentor
who had an incredible work ethic. My love for clay started in high school and I really believe it
chose me, not the other way around. Ceramics didn't seem like work for me early on and I feel so
lucky to have been taken down this path for over 35 years. I have not seen this dedication in clay
with the next generation for whatever reason. Sure this is a broad brush I'm painting with but on
a whole I feel this is true (exceptions to be sure). I know there are a lot of teachers on this board -
what are your thoughts on young folks doing the hard work after school is over and starting
careers in clay??
Mark Cortright
www.liscomhillpottery.com
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