Artist: Liz Zlot Summerfield
Liz Zlot Summerfield, NORTH CAROLINA
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Bio
Liz grew up in Northern California and was a child of both an entrepreneur and an admirer of the arts. Both parents instilled a determination and confidence in her that she could succeed at anything she worked towards.
She attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis to complete her Master of Fine Arts in 2004. Since graduation, she has lived and worked as a studio artist in Bakersville, North Carolina with her husband and glass artist, Scott Summerfield.
She has been an instructor and visiting artist at numerous clay facilities, colleges, and universities. She exhibits and sells her work nationally through exhibitions, galleries, and fine craft shows. Her work resides in various permanent collections.
She has been featured and on the cover of Ceramics Monthly and Clay Times magazine. She has also written several articles and created an instructional DVD produced by Ceramics Arts Daily featuring her ceramic process and her work.
In 2020, she and Scott created Double Island Studio, a communal space created for art
making, teaching, and learning.
Artist Statement
“A pot is like a book...how much do I want to give away on the first page?” This thought came to me recently when I was working in the studio, and I felt the need to write it down. It is a nice reminder to myself as to why I do the things I do in my studio practice. My work tells a story intended to be “read” over several chapters.
My pots are not loud nor are they big. They are quiet and small and if one is willing to sit with them, they have a lot to tell. They are my life story; the ups and downs, who I have met along the way, and the family I have raised. They are my collected moments.
I’ve always been intrigued by collection; what we collect, why we collect, and how objects change once they move from a place of utility into a collection. Within a collection everyday objects have the ability to gain importance as members of a whole. They start to become more than the sum of their parts, subtle nuances are noticed, and there is the potential to give value to valueless objects.
I find function a vehicle for expression, while also allowing approachability to my work. Sets, such as creamer and sugars and salt and peppers, lidded containers, and pails are my primary forms. The surfaces of my hand built pots are adorned with subtle layers that are not meant to be recognizable on their own, rather viewed as the sum of their parts. These surfaces are achieved by using stencils, stamps, slip trailing and brushing on several coats color in the form of terra sigillata, underglaze, and glaze.
My goal is to create a dialogue with the user, and with this they might tap into unexpected memories, thoughts, and experiences. What continues to fuel my interest in the making of clay objects is a constant curiosity to fulfill a set of personal intentions. I believe this continuous search allows my work to remain relatable and timeless.
Education
2001-2004 University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Master of Fine Arts-Ceramics
1998-2001 Appalachian Center for Crafts, a division of Tennessee Technological University, Smithville, Tennessee. Post Baccalaureate
1992-1997 University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado. Bachelor of Arts-Ceramics
Academic Teaching
2018-Current Adjunct Faculty, Mars Hill University, Mars Hill, North Carolina
2014-2024 Adjunct Faculty, McDowell Tech Community College, Marion NC
2020-2021 Adjunct Faculty, Frostburg State University, Frostburg, Maryland
2020-2021 Adjunct Faculty, Brunswick Community College, Bolivia, North Carolina
2017 Adjunct Faculty, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina
2011-2023 Adjunct Faculty, Professional Crafts Clay, Western Piedmont Community College, Morganton, North Carolina.
2001-2004 Teaching Assistant, Department of Art, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN
Non-Academic Teaching
2025 Workshop Instructor, “Fold & Fabricate”, Double Island Studio, Green Mountain, North Carolina
Workshop Instructor, “Savvy Surfaces at Low Fire”, Double Island Studio, Green Mountain, North Carolina
2024 Workshop Instructor, “It Takes Two”, Double Island Studio, Green Mountain, North Carolina
Workshop Instructor, “The Complete Process”, Double Island Studio, Green Mountain, North Carolina
Workshop Instructor, “Developing Depth with Hand Built Slab Pots”, Penland School of Craft, Penland, North Carolina
Workshop Instructor, Fold & Fabricate”, Oceanside Pottery, Oceanside, California
2023 Workshop Instructor, “Fold & Fabricate”, Double Island Studio, Green Mountain, North Carolina
Workshop Instructor, “Hand Building Boot Camp”, Double Island Studio, Green Mountain, North Carolina
2022 Workshop Instructor, “Savvy Surfaces at Low Fire”, Double Island Studio, Green Mountain, North Carolina
Workshop Instructor, “Fold & Fabricate”, Double Island Studio, Green Mountain, North Carolina
2021 Workshop Instructor, “Introduction to Low Fire Surfaces”, Double Island Studio, Green Mountain, North Carolina
Workshop Instructor, “The Basics and Beyond”, Double Island Studio, Green Mountain, North Carolina
2020 Workshop Instructor, 15 Virtual Workshops via Zoom
2019 Workshop Instructor, Kingston Potter’s Guild, Kingston, Ontario
Workshop Instructor, “The Basics and Beyond,” Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville, Tennessee.
Workshop Instructor, “Fold and Fabricate”, Arrowmont, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Workshop Instructor, “The Basics and Beyond”, Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma, California.
Workshop Instructor, “Handbuilding with Soft Slabs, Blossom Hill Crafts, Los Gatos, California.
Visiting Artist & Workshop Instructor, Savannah School of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia
2018 Workshop Instructor, Glen Arbor Arts Association, Glen Arbor, Michigan
2017 Workshop Instructor, “Personal Pots Through Soft Slabs”, Arrowmont, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Workshop Instructor, Liz Summerfield & Nick Joerling: “Cross-Pollination”, Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts, Asheville, North Carolina
2016 Workshop Instructor, “The Basics and Beyond”, Penland, North Carolina
Workshop Instructor, “The Basics and Beyond”, Cary Arts Center, Cary, North Carolina
2015 Workshop Instructor, “The Basics and Beyond”, Arrowmont, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Workshop Instructor, “Roll With It”, The Bascom Center for Visual Arts, Highlands, North Carolina
Workshop Instructor, “Personal Pots Through Soft Slabs”, Idyllwild Art Center, Idyllwild, California
2014 Workshop Instructor, “Shake It Up”, Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts, Asheville, North Carolina
2013 Workshop Instructor, “Personal Pots Through Soft Slabs”, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, North Carolina
Workshop Instructor, “Personal Pots Through Soft Slabs”, Lee Arts Center, Arlington, Virginia
2012 Workshop Instructor, Personal Pots Through Soft Slabs”, Shakerag, Sewanee, Tennessee
2011 Workshop Instructor, “Roll with It”, Kentucky Mudworks, Lexington, Kentucky
Workshop Instructor, “Handbuilt with Style”, Odyssey Center for Arts, Asheville, North Carolina
Workshop Instructor, “Soft Slab Handbuilding”. Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville, Tennessee
2010 Workshop Instructor, “Pots with Personality”, Arrowmont, Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Workshop Instructor, “Soft Slab Handbuilding”, Claymakers, Durham, North Carolina
2009 Workshop Instructor, “Handbuilding”, Clayworks, Charlotte, NC
Workshop Instructor, “Elegant & Intimate”, Mudfire Clayworks, Decatur, Georgia
2008 Workshop Instructor, “Handbuilt Functional Pots”, Odyssey Center for Arts, Asheville, North Carolina
2007 Workshop Instructor, “Handbuilding Functional Objects” Sunset River Marketplace, Calabash, North Carolina
2004 Workshop Instructor, “Handbuilt Lidded Objects” Sunset River Marketplace, Calabash, North Carolina
1998-2001 Workshop Instructor, Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville, Tennessee.
Outreach Programs:
Art Comes to School; Hands-on clay workshops for elementary students grades 3-7 (grant funded)
Hands-on Craft Experience for Elementary School Students; Bookbinding and weaving workshops for 6th grade students (grant funded)
High School Art/Vocational Crafts Programs; Origami Book workshop for 9th -12th grade art and vocational students (grant funded)
Visiting Artist/Juror/Presenter
2024 Visiting Artist, Haywood Community College, Clyde, North Carolina
2023 Visiting Artist, Penland School of Craft, Penland, North Carolina
2020 Juror, “DelecTABLE”, Denver Arts Students League, Denver, Colorado
Visiting Artist, Concord University, Athens, West Virginia
2019 Presenter, Alabama Clay Conference, Jacksonville, Alabama.
Juror, Adorned, Clay Center of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
Visiting Artist, Savannah School of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia
2018 Presenter, Red Handed Symposium, Clay Lady Campus Nashville, Tennessee
Juror, Sip, Savannah, Georgia
Visiting Artist, Village Potters, Asheville, North Carolina
2017 Presenter, “Functional Ceramics Workshop, Wayne Art Center, Wooster, Ohio
Visiting Artist, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee
2016 Presenter, “Clayworks 10th Anniversary Symposium”, Charlotte, North Carolina
2014 Visiting Artist, Southwestern Community College, Bryson City, North Carolina
Presenter, Handbuilding III: Potters Council Conference, Natchez, MS
2011 Visiting Artist, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina.
Exhibition/Show Experience
2025 Pass the Butter: A Thanksgiving Table, AKAR, Iowa City, Iowa
2023 Spruce Pine Potters Market, Spruce Pine, North Carolina
2022 The Thanksgiving Table, AKAR, Iowa City, Iowa
Containment, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, Michigan
2021 Solo Exhibition, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, Michigan
Pattern, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, Michigan
Filling the Cup, Schaller Gallery, Baroda, Michigan
2020 Americano Invitational, AKAR, Iowa City, Iowa
2019 The Thanksgiving Table, AKAR, Iowa City, Iowa
Spruce Pine Potters Market, Spruce Pine, North Carolina
2018 Handcrafted: North Carolina Clay, Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Spruce Pine Potters Market, Spruce Pine, North Carolina
2017 Spruce Pine Potters Market, Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Mint Museum Potter’s Market, Charlotte, North Carolina
For The Table, Ohio Craft Museum, Columbus, Ohio
Functional Ceramics Exhibition, Wayne Arts Center, Wooster, Ohio
Featured Artist, AKAR, Iowa City, Iowa
2016 Winter Show, Greenhill Center for NC Arts, Greensboro, North Carolina
Spruce Pine Potters Market, Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Mint Museum Potter’s Market, Charlotte, North Carolina
Yunomi Invitational, AKAR, Iowa City, Iowa
2015 Spruce Pine Potters Market, Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Mint Museum Potter’s Market, Charlotte, North Carolina
Prized Pieces: The Makers Collection, North Carolina Pottery Center, Seagrove, North Carolina
Yunomi Invitational, AKAR, Iowa City, Iowa
La Mesa, Santa Fe Clay- NCECA, Providence, Rhode Island
Graphic Clay, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, Maryland
2014 Spruce Pine Potters Market, Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Mint Museum Potter’s Market, Charlotte, North Carolina
Digin Pots- A Home Sale Celebrating Pots, Burnsville, North Carolina
Shake It Baby, Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, Maryland
National Teapot Show IX, Cedar Creek Gallery, Creedmore, North Carolina
Art We Use, Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens, Ohio
Yunomi Invitational, AKAR, Iowa City, Iowa
La Mesa, Santa Fe Clay-NCECA, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2013 Penland Ornament Show, Penland Gallery, Penland North Carolina
Winter Show, Greenhill Center for NC Arts, Greensboro, North Carolina
Spruce Pine Potters Market, Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Mint Museum Potter’s Market, Charlotte, North Carolina
20/20, DowStudio, Deer Isle, Maine
La Mesa, Santa Fe Clay-NCECA, Houston, Texas
Tradition & Intuition: Celebrating North Carolina Pottery, Barton College, Wilson, North Carolina
2012 Built, Schaller Gallery, St. Joseph, Michigan
Source: Material, Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, North Carolina
Spruce Pine Potters Market, Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Mint Museum Potter’s Market, Charlotte, North Carolina
By Example, Greenhill Center for North Carolina Art, Greensboro, North Carolina
Containment III, Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, North Carolina
Paper Plate, Plastic Plate, White Plate, Artist Plate, Penland Gallery, Penland, North Carolina
Nourish, Flow Gallery, Marshall, North Carolina
Small Favors VII, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
Functional Ceramics 2012, Wayne Center for Arts, Kent State University, Ohio
Craft Museum, Ohio
2011 Interpreting the Cup, Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, North Carolina
Spruce Pine Potters Market, Spruce Pine, North Carolina
“New Work-Liz Zlot Summerfield”, AKAR, Iowa City, Iowa
Table Manners, Lark & Key Gallery, Charlotte, North Carolina
Mint Museum Potter’s Market, Charlotte, North Carolina
Featured Artist, Mudfire Clayworks, Decatur, Georgia
2010 Spruce Pine Potters Market, Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Mint Museum Potter’s Market, Charlotte, North Carolina
Collecting, Creating, Connecting, Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, North Carolina
Small Favors V, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
Constructed, Mudfire Clayworks, Decatur, Georgia
Off the Wheel, Chestnut Hill Academy, Philadelphia, PN
2009 30x5, AKAR, Iowa City, Iowa
Handbuilt Clay National, Waynes Art Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Small Favors IV, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA
Smithsonian Craft Show, National Building Museum, Washington D.C.
Potters of the Roan, Mudfire Clayworks and Gallery, Decatur, Georgia
2008 Spruce Pine Potters Market, Spruce Pine, North Carolina
American Pottery Festival, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Duets/Pairs, DowStudio, Deer Isle, Maine
It’s Pouring, Dowstudio, Deer Isle, Maine
In Triplicate-Potters of the Roan, Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, North Carolina.
Line and Color, Mudfire Clayworks, Decatur, Georgia
An Unexpected Line, Gallery 115, Greensboro, North Carolina
From Soup to Nuts, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, Michigan
2007 American Craft Council Show, Charlotte, North Carolina
Gifted Part 1, The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Potters of the Roan: Perceptions of Containment, Trac Gallery, Burnsville, North Carolina
The Pitcher Show: An Invitational Ceramics Exhibition, UNCP AD Gallery, Pembroke, North Carolina
Down East Invites Down South, Dowstudio, Deer Isle, Maine
Miniature Power, Mudfire Clayworks, Decatur, Georgia
Scott Summerfield & Liz Zlot Summerfield, Miya Gallery, Weaverville, North Carolina
Potters of the Roan: Group Exhibition, Rocky Mount Arts Center, Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Beyond Expectations: New Members of the Southern Highland Crafts Guild, Folk Art Center, Asheville, North Carolina
Put A Lid On It, Mudfire Clayworks, Decatur, Georgia
Potters of the Roan: Group Exhibition, Washington Street Gallery, West Virginia
What’s Cookin: A taste of culinary artwork by southern potters, painters, and photographers. Swan Coach House, Atlanta, Georgia. Invitational Exhibition
Potters of the Roan: Group Exhibition, North Carolina Pottery Center, Seagrove, North Carolina
2006 30 Something: A Group Exhibition of Local Emerging Artists, Toe River Arts
Council, Spruce Pine, North Carolina
San Angelo Ceramic Competition, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, Texas
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Market House Craft Center, East Petersburg, PA
Crisp, Mudfire Clayworks, Decatur, Georgia
American Craft Council Show, Atlanta, Georgia
Through Women’s Eyes, By Women’s Hands, The Women’s Center, Chapel Hill, NC
2005 American Craft Council Show, Atlanta, Georgia
Building Community, Lake Norman Art League, Huntersville, NC
Fall Celebration of Arts, Toe River Arts Council, Spruce Pine, NC
A New Look, River Gallery, Chattanooga, TN
2004 A Marriage of Materials, Sunset River Marketplace, Calabash, NC
Fall Celebration of Arts, Toe River Arts Council, Spruce Pine, NC
College Bowl, Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN
Refresh, Nash Gallery, Minneapolis, MN. Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition.
2003 It’s Only Clay, Bemidgi Community Arts Center, Bemidgi, MN
Minnesota Clay, Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN
Mandatory, Nash Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
2001 Ewers, Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI
Related Professional Experience
2022-2024 Vice President Steering Committee, Spruce Pine Potter’s Association (501c6)
2021-Current Vice President, Shepherd’s Staff Food Bank, Spruce Pine (501c3)
2020-Current Owner and Operator, “Double Island Studio”, Green Mountain, North Carolina
2004-Current Owner & Operator, ”LZS Pottery”, Bakersville, North Carolina
2017 Co-creator-Red Handed Symposium
2013-2014 Project Coordinator, “Craft’s Business Curriculum”, North Carolina Rural
Entrepreneurship Action Learning (NC REAL) (501c3)
Key Responsibilities: Alter existing and write new curriculum to enable craft artists to become successful business owners
2011-13 Steering Committee, Spruce Pine Potter’s Market
2011 North Carolina Rural Entrepreneurship Action Learning Institute (NC REAL), Certification
Grants & Awards
2023 Recipient NC Arts Council Artist Support Grant, Mitchell & Yancey County
2019 Recipient Regional Artist Project Grant, Mitchell and Yancey County
2017 Mint Museum Purchase Award
2014 Recipient Regional Artist Project Grant, Mitchell and Yancey County
2014 Ceramics Monthly Purchase Award, “Art We Use”, Athens, Ohio
2011 Recipient Regional Artist Project Grant, Mitchell and Yancey County
2005 Merit Award. Fall Celebration of Arts, Toe River Arts Council, Spruce Pine, NC
2004 Best In Show. Fall Celebration of Arts, Toe River Arts Council, Spruce Pine, NC. Juried by Ruth T. Summers
2000 Merit Award. Best of Tennessee Crafts 2000, Tennessee Association of Craft Artists, TN. Juried Exhibition
Publications/Bibliography
2024 Carter, Ben. The Complete Guide to Low Fire Glazes for Potters and Sculptors, Beverly, MA: The Quatro Group.
2022 Cobb, Sunshine. The Beginner’s Guide to Hand Building. Beverly, MA: The Quatro Group.
2019 Willers, Rhonda. Terra Sigillata: Contemporary Techniques. Westerville, OH: The American Ceramic Society
2016 Pitelka, Vince. “Clay: A Studio Handbook” 2nd Edition”, American Ceramic Society, 2016
“Pitchers, Teapots, Cups, and Mugs”, Ceramics Arts Handbook Series
“Plates, Platters, and Bowls”, Ceramics Arts Handbook Series
The Clay Studio, “100 Artists, 1000 Cups”, NCECA Expo
2015 Jones, Bill, “Handbuilding Techniques”, Ceramics Arts Handbook Series
2015 Summerfield, Liz Zlot, “Scaling It Down”, Ceramics Monthly, January
2014 Guinan, Steph, “Digin’ Pots”, Ceramics Monthly, December
2014 Image reproduction, WNC Magazine, “Foodie Gift Guide”
2014 Image reproduction, Amaco Product Catalogue
2014 Hluch, Kevin, “American iPottery”, Kevin Hluch
2014 Handbuilt Forms with Soft Slabs featuring Liz Zlot Summerfield”, Instructional DVD produced by Ceramics Arts Daily
2014 Summerfield, Liz Zlot, “Solutions to a Slab Plate”, Pottery Making Illustrated, Jan/Feb
2013 Image Reproduction, Amaco Add, Ceramics Monthly, December
Instructional DVD: Handbuilt Forms with Soft Slabs, Ceramics Arts Network
2010 Featured Artist, The Laurel, September
2009 Cover Image, Clay Times, Nov/Dec
2009 Image Reproduction, Clay Times, Sept/Oct
2009 Schultz, Katie. “Working Backwards” Feature Article/Cover Ceramics Monthly, April
2009 Amber, Shay, “Ceramics for Beginners: Handbuilding”, Lark Books
2008 “Portfolio: Liz Zlot Summerfield”, Asheville Citizen Times, December
2007 “No Place Like Home: Doing Business Through Open Studio Tours”, Ceramics Monthly, June/July
2007 Bendin, Dariel, “Liz Zlot Summerfield Workshop At Sunset River Marketplace”, Alternatives, January/February
2007 Brown, Linda Louise, “Modesty and Passion: Potters of the Roan”, Ceramics Monthly, February
2006 “Crisp”, Atlanta Planet, March
2005 Nichols, Ann, “A New Look”, Chattanooga Times Free Press, January
2004 Bendin, Dariel, “A Marriage of Materials”, Alternatives, November
2004 Bendin, Dariel, “Sunset River Marketplace in Calabash NC, Features Husband and Wife Show”, Carolina Arts, November
2004 “Fall Celebration of Arts Marches On,” Mitchell News-Journal, September
2004 Wilber, Katrina, “The Big Payoff”, The Minnesota Daily, April
Collections
2014 Ceramics Monthly Magazine, Columbus, Ohio
2013 Mint Museum, Charlotte, North Carolina
2008 Martha Connell, Atlanta, Georgia.
2007 Vice President Walter Mondale and Joan Mondale, Minnesota
2004 University Of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
2003 Bemidgi Community Arts Center, Bemidgi, Minnesota
Memberships
2020 NCECA, National Council on Education in the Ceramic Arts
2011-Current Spruce Pine Potter’s Association
2004-Current Toe River Arts Council
2006-2011 Southern Highland Craft Guild
2005-2009 Potters of the Roan
2004-2008 American Crafts Council
1998-2002 NCECA, National Council on Education in the Ceramic Arts