Artist: Michael Griffin
Michael Griffin. NEW YORK
Bio
Mike Griffin is a self taught potter who has worked his way through many trials and techniques to come to his current style of handbuilt functional ceramics. Featured in Ceramics Monthly in 2023 (February “A Laid Back Teapot”) he has since been teaching online and in person workshops. At his real job Mike has been a golf professional for about 20 years. Running a course in Upstate NY allows him ample time to create in the winter months. Mike is hoping to retire to a life of full time ceramics and traveling around teaching workshops with his wife Lauren.
Artist Statement
Mike Griffin is a self taught potter who has worked his way through many trials and techniques to come to his current style of handbuilt functional ceramics. Featured in Ceramics Monthly in 2023 (February “A Laid Back Teapot”) he has since been teaching online and in person workshops. At his real job Mike has been a golf professional for about 20 years. Running a course in Upstate NY allows him ample time to create in the winter months. Mike is hoping to retire to a life of full time ceramics and traveling around teaching workshops with his wife Lauren.
Resume
Mike is a self taught potter who found his love of clay while living in the Alfred NY area. He started making functional work in 2008 and has found his way to a noticeable style in hand building. Since then he has taught many workshops and classes along the way.
Artist – 2009-2012 -
Alleghany artists open studio trail - Opened my studio and work to public view. Taught mini workshops to visitors.
Visiting Artist Arkport Central School – 2010 - Present
Featured artist at the clay department of Arkport HS. Conducted wheel throwing and hand building demos and workshops for the high school ceramics department.
Workshop Presenter- Wayne Center for the Arts - 2021
Taught a functional ceramics workshop to a large group of beginner potters on how to define functionality in your own style.
Workshop Presenter - Main Street Arts – 2021
Taught a two day class on building lidded jars and making them useful for the home.
Featured Artist - Charlie Cummings Gallery – 2022
Featured in Ceramics Monthly Magazine - February 2023 - The Laid Back Teapot
Workshop Presenter - Arrowmont School of the Arts - 2024 -
Taught a week long in house workshop on Terra Sigilatta and hand building functional forms. Class was full with 12 students.
Workshop Presenter - Frank Arts - 2024
Taught an online workshop to a full class of 50+ students on the making and application of Terra Sigilatta
Workshop Presenter - Ceramic Arts Network - 2024 -Presented to a full class of 65 students online, hand building casserole dishes. Presented to a full class of 65 students online, hand building casserole dishes.
Demonstration artist - NCECA 2026- SpeedBall Ceramics Co.
Presented to the patrons on my techniques of surface decoration.
Demonstration artist- NCECA 2026- Bailey Pottery Equipment
Presented to the patrons different hand building technique using a Bailey slab roller and pottery wheel.
Demonstration artist - NCECA 2026- Adamah Art Studios
Did a hand building demo for the Schools booth along with other workshop teachers.