Introducing New Functional Pottery Offerings

Three very different ceramicists offer beautiful variety

Alan Higenbotham

Striving for beautiful forms, whether it’s your favorite bowl, vase, teapot, cup, each piece of Alan Higenbotham’s wheel-thrown porcelain clay is unique. Studying under a master potter in Japan in the 1980s, Alan has been a professional potter for over 40 years in Oregon. The Asian influence can be seen today in his pottery.

Alan created his own glaze chemistry for oxygen-starved (‘reduction’) kiln firings. By high-firing to 2350 degrees F, he is able to balance heat, time, and oxygen for vibrant Copper Reds and time-honored Celadon Green glazes, adding color and richness to functional pottery pieces we use daily.

Annie Chrietzberg composes in color, pattern, shape, form, feel, and experience, as functional objects only reach their true potential during actual use. All of her pieces are hand-built, making use of templates to cut out the shapes for forms she wants. She then assembles the pieces like a tin-smith. Patterns are pressed into the surface of the clay, becoming texture that is very tactile.

She has published more than 20 articles for Pottery Making Illustrated, has taught college, and has given presentations and demonstrations in three countries. Currently, she does top-tier fine craft shows and teaches an international cadre of hand-building enthusiasts both on-line and in-person.

We have been honored to have Linda Heisserman’s hand-cut, wheel-thrown porcelain pottery for several years, and are happy to now have display space for her functional pottery as well.

Born on the east coast, Linda tried many artistic paths but ceramics stole her heart, as did using porcelain clay as a canvas for her ideas. She moved west and was regularly juried into Art Craft fairs, gaining a reputation for excellence. Until the day her rabbit took one bite out of each bowl she had thrown that day, Linda had been a perfectionist. But, instead of throwing out the bowls with a bunny bite, she cut into the lips to hide the bite and created her asymmetrical Bunny Bowls. This led to her distinctive carved and cut-in style, along with her signature celadon glazes.