MissionThe 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. Hours of OperationYou 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 InformationAddress:226 First Avenue North Phone:206-285-4421 (office) email:Note: We will provide an interpreter or accomodate other special needs given ample notice. HistoryPottery 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. Staff Wally Bivins has been working in the arts for nearly thirty years. He has completed two residencies at the Archie Bray Foundation in Montana, and has worked as an independent studio potter. Wally is equally fascinated with both traditional, and new clay work. He continues to look for the work that "... no one has seen, but everyone recognizes." His overriding goal as a teacher is that students find a passion for the work.
Wally Bivins, Executive Director
Alya Khan, Assistant to the Director Nana Kuo, Communications Director Board of DirectorsOfficersNeal Sofian - President MembersDeborah Binder Welcome to our Advisory CommitteeJohn & Binko Bisbee We are pleased to count these distinguished individuals as advisors and look forward to their counsel. Each of them is aleady a contributor to the good of Pottery Northwest and we are anxious to see what positive things will evolve with this relationship. About our WebsiteWebsite design by our own resident artist emeritus Nana Kuo Please report any website problems and mysteries to our webmaster at admin@potterynorthwest.org
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