Artist: Todd Pletcher
Todd Pletcher, AUSTRALIA
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I define myself as an artist and craftsman, a creator of useful and beautiful ceramic pots. It is my desire to make items for everyday living, while adding a touch of quality and beauty in the home.
The foundation of my training is in production pottery. I generate large quantities of work, generally throwing a particular item in runs of 30 or more. I start with an idea for the shape, make the group of pots, and assess what was successful (or not). I then incorporate improvements into the next round of work; I want each series of pots to be better than the last.
I pride myself on craftsmanship, with particular focus on continuous lines. My goal is to create pots that are balanced and comfortable to use with an emphasis on fluid movement of shape. I want the eye to move along the lines of the entire piece. In particular, this is executed through the motion of the rim and foot.
I arrived in Australia with my partner, Anna, in August. It has been an exciting and challenging transition and I am so pleased to have landed at Northern Beaches Ceramics as the new resident artist. The clay community and resources made available at this location are the best I have encountered and I can’t wait to see how my work will evolve.
Work Experience
• Brookvale TAFE, Northern Beaches Ceramics - Resident Artist 2016 - present
• Pletcher Pottery, Goshen, IN - Owner - pletcherpottery.com 2012 - 2016
• University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL - Adjunct Professor of Ceramics - 2010 - 2012
• Park West Ceramics, Chicago, IL - Instructor - 2007 – 2012
• TGI Systems, Chicago, IL – Operations Manager – 2005 - 2010
• Dick Lehman Pottery, Goshen, IN - Studio Production Potter - 2000 - 2005
Selected Shows/Exhibitions
2016
• Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL - Featured Artist for January
• Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN – Last Call Show – Matt Schiemann Juror
• James May Gallery, Algoma, WI - Working Pots Exhibition - Simon Levin Juror
• Strictly Functional Pottery National, Kevin Lehman Pottery, Lancaster, PA – Simon Leach Juror
• Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN - Irons in the Fire - Justin Rothshank Juror
• The Cup Collaboration, Melbourne, Victoria - Invitation from Adriana Christianson
2015
• Ceramic’s Monthly Emerging Artist, May 2015 Issue
• Strictly Functional Pottery National, Kevin Lehman Pottery, Lancaster, PA – Matt Long Juror
• KC Clay Guild, Kansas City, MO - Teabowl National - Lisa Orr Juror
• 4th Annual Michiana Pottery Tour, Goshen, IN - Event host
• Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN - Solo Exhibition
2014
• Strictly Functional Pottery National, Kevin Lehman Pottery, Lancaster, PA - Christa Assad Juror
Founders’ Award recipient
• The Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, FL - Biennial Cup Show, Matt Schiemann Juror
• KC Clay Guild, Kansas City, MO - Teabowl National, Delores Fortuna, Bill Farrell Jurors
• Crestwoods Gallery, Roanoke, IN - Vessels Show, Elizabeth Wamsley Curator
• The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA - Whiskey: Flights + Pairings
• Schaller Gallery, St. Joseph, MI - Fortify Exhibit
• 3rd Annual Michiana Pottery Tour, Goshen, IN - Event host
• The Local, Goshen, IN - Featured artist for August
2013
• The Local, Goshen, IN - The Cup Show, Dick Lehman Juror
• Midwest Museum of Art, Elkhart, IN - 35th Annual Elkhart Juried Regional Exhibition
• 2nd Annual Michiana Pottery Tour, Goshen, IN - Event host
• Indiana University, Bloomington, IN - Stoking the Fire: A Contemporary Pottery Symposium,
Exhibitor and symposium speaker
2012
• 1st Annual Michiana Pottery Tour, Goshen, IN - Guest artist
Workshops and Demonstrations
• Handle With Care Workshop - Host and Presenter - July 2016
• Central Michigan University - Visiting Artist - February 2016
• Companion Gallery - All in the Details - Solo workshop October 2015
• Penland School of Craft - Wood Firing: Exploring Form & Surface, Chris Gustin Instructor -
Summer 2015 Studio Assistant
• Penland School of Craft - Layer Cake: Delicious Ceramic Surfaces, Instructors Jason Bige
Burnett and Justin Rothshank Instructors - Fall 2014 Studio Assistant
• Arrowmont School of Art and Craft - The Decal and Beyond, Justin Rothshank Instructor -
September 2013 Studio Assistant
• Goshen Pottery Workshop Series - Host and Organizer - August 2013
• Amaco Video Demonstration – Mixing and Dipping Potter’s Choice Glazes - March
2013
Current Galleries
• Kerrie Lowe Gallery, Sydney, AU
• Crimson Laurel Gallery, Bakersville, NC
• Lillstreet Gallery, Chicago, IL
• Companion Gallery, Humboldt, TN
• Haan Museum of Indiana Art, Lafayette, IN
Education
Goshen College, Goshen, IN - Bachelor of Arts, Ceramics and Sculpture - 2005
• NCECA Student Exhibition, Jingdezhen, China - Taking Measure II, Permanent collection
Jingdezhen Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute