Artist: Krista Cortese
Krista Cortese, WASHINGTON
My goal is to express fleeting moments of grace and wonder through thoughtful, handmade pots. I aim to connect the spirit of a handmade object to the mindfulness behind sharing a meal and nourishing your body, a reminder of the pleasant and sincere moments in domesticity. My art is constantly evolving, each piece part of a single ongoing body of work that informs the next. This slow transformation and movement forward is echoed in my work through the use of gradients, contrasting colors and the repetition of lines to create rhythmic patterns on porcelain forms.
Krista has a background in painting, printmaking and sculpture and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pacific Lutheran University in 2011. In 2016 she actively immersed herself back into the ceramics community in Seattle. In 2019, looking to grow as an artist and professional, she began an assistantship to Deborah Schwartzkopf at Rat City Studios in Seattle, Washington. She currently works full time as a studio potter and ceramic educator out of her home studio in North Seattle. Krista makes functional pottery with an emphasis on elaborate surface decoration achieved through layering of resist techniques and underglaze on porcelain.
Education
2021 Cups and Mugs Workshop - Catie Miller, ZOOM
2020 1 day Zoom Teapot Workshop - Sam Lopez, San Diego, CA
2020 1 day Bisque Mold Workshop - Deborah Schwartzkopf, Rat City Studios, WA
2019 1 day Handbuilding Workshop - Sunshine Cobb, Rat City Studios, Seattle, WA
2017-18 Continuing Ed. - Advanced Ceramics - North Seattle College, Seattle, WA
2007-11 BFA - emphasis in Sculpture - Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA
Publications
2021 Juan Barroso: The Immigrant Experience, November Issue, Ceramics Monthly, USA
Professional Experience/Teaching
2021 Mentor/Memberships, Personal Studio, Seattle, WA
Provide space and mentoring for two beginner ceramic artists in my home studio. Oversee and guide students in wheel throwing and handbuilding projects, setting goals and seeing projects come to fruition through persistence and troubleshooting.
2021 Instructor, Personal Studio, Seattle, WA
Guided individual lessons for students to try their hand at clay and custom, ongoing lessons for individuals wanting to learn a more advanced technique or skill.
2021 Printing on Clay Workshop, Saltstone Ceramics, Wallingford, WA
Taught a 3.5 hour in-person workshop demonstrating techniques for handbuilding a cup and creating newsprint transfers with slips and underglazes.
2021 Kids Clay Week, Moshier Art Center, Burien, WA
Taught two week-long introductory clay camps for teenagers. Developed curriculum and instructed students on beginner wheel throwing and handbuilding techniques and facilitated the completion of multiple projects of 8 students each week.
2021 2 Day Zoom Workshop, Seattle, WA
Taught my first workshop out of my home studio, beginner to advanced handbuilding techniques for the Fraser Valley Potters Guild in Surrey, B.C. Canada.
2021 Home Studio, Seattle, WA
Transformed my garage into a ceramic studio for personal and community use; complete with a sturdy work table, electrical to house a kiln and shelving and storage.
2020-2021 Clay for Kids, Seattle, WA
Owner/instructor of a creative educational program to make the ceramic arts more accessible to children and adults. Teaching beginning ceramics to all ages with an emphasis on making art therapeutic, fun and safe during COVID.
2020 Zoom Colander Workshop, Rat City Studios, Seattle, WA
Develop and demonstrate techniques for making a wheel thrown colander during this 2 hour online workshop hosted by Deborah Schwartzkopf.
2019- 2020 Instructor, Rat City Studios, Seattle, WA
Develop and demonstrate basic to advanced ceramic techniques in handbuilding and wheel thrown ceramics for one day sessions or a 10 week class.
2019 -2020 Instructor Assistant, Rat City Studios, Seattle, WA
Assist with the prep and execution of weekly demonstrations, monitor and encourage the success of our students and substitute teach when needed.
2019 - 2021 Studio Assistant, Deborah Schwartzkopf, Rat City Studios, Seattle, WA
Studio maintenance and development, work trade for semi-private studio, professional development and mentorship.
2018-2019 Personal Studio, Lynnwood, WA
Built my first studio from the ground up with an emphasis on recycling clay and developing custom slips with limited resources.
Exhibitions/Awards
2022 Muskogoen
2022 Mug Madness, Juried by Brandon Pena & Didem Mert, Saltstone Ceramics, Seattle, WA
2022 Get a Leg Up Grant, $1,000 for Solo Exhibition, Rat City Studios, Seattle, WA
2022 Introductions Exhibition, Rain City Clay, West Seattle, WA
2021 Winter Warmers Cup Show, invited artist, Good Earth Pottery, Bellingham, WA
2021 Community Cup Showcase, Rat City Studios & Dubsea Coffee, Seattle, WA
2021 Pitcher Perfect 2, Best Dressed, Good Earth Pottery, Juried by Jen Allen, Bellingham, WA
2021 Rat City Studio Showcase, Good Earth Pottery, Bellingham, WA
2020 The Dirty South Cup Call, invited artist, River Oaks Square Arts Center, Alexandria, LA
2020 Mug Madness 20, Elite 8 Finalist, Juried Exhibition, Saltstone Ceramics, Seattle, WA
2019 Community Cup Showcase, Rat City Studios & Dubsea Coffee, Seattle, WA
2019 Community Platter Exhibition, Rat City Studios & Proletariat, Seattle, WA
2018 Group Show, Ballard Farmers Market, Seattle, WA
2011 Senior Exhibition, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA
Community Collaborations & Stockists
2021 Handmade for the Holidays, invited artist, Saltstone Ceramics, Wallingford, WA
2021 PETI Boutique, custom 30 piece wholesale order, Wallingford, WA
2021 Two Kick Cafe, logo mugs for retail, Seattle, WA
2020 Raiz Restaurant, tableware sets for retail and service, Seattle, WA
2019 Equal Exchange Espresso, planters and vases for cafe, Seattle, WA
2019 Nielsen’s Pastries, mugs and espresso sets for retail and service, Seattle, WA