Artist: Andrew Sartorius
Andrew Sartorius, NEW YORK
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Statement of purpose:
I create objects for everyday ceremony; pots that draw the viewer into their surfaces and invite touch, use, and visual investigation. My studio practice is informed, but not bound, by functional pottery traditions. I emphasize the enthusiastic exploration of local materials, process, and form as I discover each series of new works. The labor intensive process of wood firing lends itself to creating deep, layered, surfaces that give vitality to the wild clays I use. The kiln is my collaborator, a trusted but pleasantly unpredictable partner lending its voice to mine to create something both of a time long ago, today, and tomorrow.
Andrew grew up in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and received a BFA in English literature from The College of Wooster. Andrew lived in Kochi, Japan for four years as a high school English instructor. He began working with clay to engage with his students outside of the classroom and learn about Japan’s ceramic traditions. He moved to upstate New York in 2014 to complete a wood firing apprenticeship with the international ceramic artist, Jeff Shapiro. In 2019 Andrew completed his MFA in ceramics from SUNY New Paltz in New York.. Andrew’s studio practice focuses on the enthusiastic exploration of local materials, and the atmospheric firing processes. He is the program manager and lead instructor at The Oki Doki Studio in Germantown, New York where he leads workshops focusing on the in-depth exploration of the wood and soda firing processes.
Education:
2017-2019 Master in Fine Artist, State University of New York at New Paltz focused in Ceramics.
2014-2016 Wood Firing Apprenticeship with Jeff Shapiro. Accord, NY.
2009 BA English Literature and Fictional Writing, The College of Wooster, OH.
2025 Surfaceness, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI
2025 International Wood Fire III, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI
2025 Philadelphia International Tea Bowl Exhibition, Duke Gallery at The Community Arts Center, Wallingford, PA
2025 In Hand II, Mikhail Zakin Gallery and The Art School at Old Church, Demarist, NJ
2025 Syncretics: Crafting Identity, Group Show, Saratoga Clay Art Center, Saratoga Springs, NY
2019-present Hudson Valley Pottery Tour, Guest Artist, Accord, NY
2024 In Hand I, Mikhail Zakin Gallery and The Art School at Old Church, Demarist, NJ
2024 International Wood Fire II, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, MI
2023 Flower City Pottery Invitational, Rochester, NY
2023 Philadelphia International Tea Bowl Exhibition, Duke Gallery at The Community Arts Center, Wallingford, PA
2023 Smithsonian Craft Show: Craft to Wear, Washington, DC.
2021 Altered Atmospheres, Saratoga Clay Arts Center, Saratoga, NY
2020 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, Emerging Artist, Philadelphia, PA.
2020 Academy Art Museum Craft Show. Academy Art Museum, Easton, MD.
2020 The American Craft Fair, American Craft Council, Baltimore, MD.
2019 Material Memoir. MFA Thesis Exhibition, The Dorsky Museum. State University of New
York at New Paltz, NY.
2019 Now: Press Play. Curated by Glenn Adamson, The WIlliamsburg Art and Historic Center. Brooklyn, NY.
2019 Mugshot 2: 2nd Biennial International Juried Ceramic Mug Competition, Mojo Coffee Gallery, 2019 NCECA, Minneapolis, MN.
2019 Materials: Hard and Soft. Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton, TX.
2019 Geaux Cups, Clay Center of New Orleans, LA.
2018 Small Favors, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA.
2018 Atmospheric, Clay Center of New Orleans, LA.
2016-2017 Peters Valley Craft Show, Peter’s Valley School of Craft, Layton, NJ.
2019-present Program Director, Studio Manager, and Instructor. The Oki Doki Studio, Germantown, NY.
2018-2019 Instructor of Record, Introduction to Ceramics, State University of New York at New Paltz.
2017-2018 Kiln Manager for Ceramics Department, Graduate Assistantship, State University of New York at New Paltz.
2017 Teaching Assistant, Processes and Techniques Alternative Firing Methods, State University of New York at New Paltz.
2014-2016 Studio assistant and apprentice for Jeff Shapiro, Accord, NY.
2020 American Craft Council: Hip Pop Emerging Artist Program, American Craft Show, Baltimore, MD
2019 Ceramic Residency and Work Study, StarWorks Ceramics, Star, NC
2017-2018 Research and Creative Project Award, State University of New York at New Paltz, NY
2016 2nd Place, Peter’s Valley School of Craft, Arts and Craft Fair, Layton, NJ Workshops and
2025 North Carolina Wood Fire Conference: Panel Speaker on Building Community, Star, NC
2025 North Carolina Wood Fire Conference: Panel Speaker on Firing Methods and Surfaces, Star, NC
2023 North Carolina Potter’s Conference, Speaker and exhibition participant, Seagrove, NC