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Karrita Renzelmann | Episode 306
Karrita Renzelmann of Queen Bee Pottery fell in love with clay when her husband surprised her with a pottery wheel for her birthday in 2006. She began with introductory classes at the local college and couldn’t get enough of the intrinsic feeling of delight, focus, and comfort that came with placing her hands in clay and creating. It was in the garden that the love of nature and creativity were planted in her heart. This love of unifying the beauty of nature with the creation of functional and decorative pottery is the inspiration for Queen Bee Pottery. The ongoing growth of her relationship with clay is nurtured with excitement and curiosity about how the journey will evolve and change in her lifetime. Karrita continues to be amazed, inspired, and grateful for the connections that her pottery creates with customers worldwide.
Steven Showalter is a Potter and High School Art Teacher in Minnesota. His current work is inspired by his wood-firing experiences. His desire to capture the unpredictability of wood-firing led him to work extensively with glaze development to create a rich palette of runny glazes that are inspired by his surroundings.
As a full time Studio Potter since 2003, Jeff Rottman has developed a community studio with 32 members and launched a pottery tool company which is reaching across the globe. Jeff’s entrance into being a studio potter started with a loss of a traditional job due to economic downturn. Jeff was energized by the cooking shows of the Food Network along with the melodies of Johnny Cash (Drive On).
Sam Parry is an art teacher for the Meridian School District, a ski instructor at Jackson Hole Ski resort, and a ceramist. Throwing on the wheel has been a passion of Sam’s since he was in high school. Making art that is both functional and beautiful is Sam’s ultimate goal. Knowing that someone uses Sam’s art in their daily lives is what he loves about making pottery.
Howard Koerth is a nationally recognized ceramic artist currently residing in Oklahoma City, teaching at Rose State College. For the past 25 years his work has been included in invitational and juried exhibitions both national and internationally. In 2003 Mr. Koerth served as Artist in Residence at the Tainan National College of the Arts in Taiwan, an experience that influenced his current visual exploration.
Luke Huling is a figurative sculptor from Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Luke graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in May of 2014 and received his BFA in ceramics and a minor in metalsmithing. For two years following undergrad Luke was the long term resident at The LUX Center for the Arts in Lincoln Nebraska, teaching throwing, hand building, and introductory metals classes. Currently Luke is attending Indiana University in their MFA program located in Bloomington, Indiana. He continues to use clay and metal and combines them together in mixed media sculptures.
Paul Tholl is a Wyoming-raised, Western Colorado-living potter, and Art educator. Paul received concurrent BA/BS from the University of a Wyoming in 2011 and has been living in Grand Junction, CO for the majority of the time since. Paul is married and has a 10 month old son.
Eunbi Cho is a traditionalist with a contemporary approach. Eunbi’s (pronounced Un-Be) work celebrates the spirited and special space that exists between structure and fluidity, precision, and poetry. Throughout her work, Eunbi reflects upon user/object interaction with unique and playful intention.