Mission

The mission of Pottery Northwest is to develop and promote excellence in the ceramic arts. Pottery Northwest's goal is to provide a professional facility in an educational atmosphere for the enhancement of skills in the medium of clay. This is achieved by providing studio space, classes, professional workshops, lectures, community programs, and a gallery dedicated to the sale and exhibition of ceramic works.

History

Pottery Northwest, recently celebrating its 40th Anniversary, was incorporated as a non-profit arts organization in 1966. The pottery grew out of The Seattle Clay Club. In the early years the pottery, kilns and all, actually resided on the second floor of the Center House at Seattle Center. Later the pottery relocated to a garage building that it now shares with the groundskeepers for the Seattle Center complex at the corner of 1st Avenue N. and Thomas Street. Pottery Northwest is in fact one of the oldest resident organizations at the Seattle Center.

Since its beginning Pottery Northwest has been a resource for community classes, professional workshops and exhibitions with nationally and internationally recognized artists in the field. Many youth and school groups have also made use of this resource. This past year Pottery Northwest hosted over 1000 individuals as students, workshop participants, attendance at lectures, and countless others as visitors to exhibitions and community events. One of its most important functions is to serve as a professional facility for those with a serious commitment to ceramics as they prepare to establish their own studio. Past studio residents have gone on to prestigious teaching positions and to garner significant awards. Jamie Walker is currently a professor of ceramics at the University of Washington and Flintridge Foundation Award recipient. Tip Toland is a recent recipient of the Virginia A. Groot Foundation Award for sculpture. Many others have gone on to professional careers in the field. On the occasion of its 30th Anniversary, Pottery Northwest received the American Craft Council Award of Distinction.

Facilities

Pottery Northwest is a professional clay facility comprising 7200 square feet in an early 1900’s brick building at Seattle Center with an adjoining outdoor kiln yard.

Our equipment includes potter’s wheels, a slab roller, an extruder, a spray booth with compressor, clay mixer, and various workshop tools (saws, grinders, etc.). A dedicated glaze area stocks a full complement of materials. We have both electric and gas fired kilns, including soda and raku kilns and – a wood-fired pizza oven. We have recently upgraded our studio heating and lighting systems and added air filtration. There are a variety of semiprivate spaces available for residents.

Residents have 24 hour access to the studio.

Click on the images below for an immersive view of our facilities.

Hours of Operation

You are welcome to visit our studio any time a student or resident artist is present. Students are encouraged to come into the studio to practice outside of class times as long as there is no other class in session or even during another class as long as the class instructor specifically grants permission.

The office is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 am until 5 pm or by appointment.

Contact Information

Address:
226 First Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109

Phone:
206-285-4421 (office)
206-285-9774 (studio)

email:
info@potterynorthwest.org

Note: We will provide an interpreter or accomodate other special needs given ample notice.

Staff

Wally Bivins
Executive Director

Alya Khan
Assistant to the Director

Nana Kuo
Communications Director

Board of Directors

Officers:
Neal Sofian - President
Joanne Young - Vice President
Garth Jacobson - Secretary
Kim Hickman - Treasurer
Cheryl Johnson - Student Representative
Jessi Li - Resident Representative

Members:
John Grade
Len Hudson
Sue Rose
Beth Cavener Stichter

Advisory Committee

John & Binko Bisbee
Sam & Elizabeth Davidson
Frank Boyden
Peter Held
Walt Riehl

About our Website

Website designed and maintained by our own resident artist emeritus
Nana Kuo

Please report any website problems and mysteries to our webmaster at admin@potterynorthwest.org