Mugs Mugs Mugs!
Interested in exploring collaborative art with other potters?
Join an upcoming “Artist Collab,” a project focused on creativity, experimentation, and community. In this Collab, a series of mugs will be thrown by Studio72 member Ryan Hemphill, which will be distributed to participating artists to decorate however they choose.
Finished mugs will be gathered for a photoshoot in July, to be shared on social media, and the plan is to ultimately donate our efforts to a good cause (TBD).
This project is independently organized by Studio72 member Ryan Hemphill (@fearfulsymmetryceramics), r.m.hemphill@gmail.com. This project is not managed by Studio72 staff and all questions should be directed to Ryan.
Download Project Details pdf document
How It Works
- Sign up via the Google Form by May 16th (limited spots available).
- Ryan will create a limited series of mugs of a similar form and style.
- Each participant will receive one mug to decorate and glaze.
You may choose to receive your mug as:
- Leather-hard (greenware), or
- Bisqueware
From there, it’s yours to decorate however you’d like!
Once completed (please send your pieces to the final glaze fire):
- Mugs will be returned to Ryan to photograph
- Pieces will be featured on Instagram as collaborative posts
- Mugs will be sold or auctioned, with proceeds donated to a selected charity (TBD, please submit any suggestions if you have them in the sign-up form!)
Timeline
- Mugs will be thrown and delivered by the end of May (timing depends on number of participants)
- Finished, decorated mugs are due for final firing on Sunday, July 12. Delivering finished works early is welcome!
What sort of mug will I receive?
- The plan is to make a series of similarly designed/shaped mugs to showcase the unique decorative styles of other potters.
- There may be some variation, but I want them to be a cohesive series in terms of thrown form.
- The exact mug design is a surprise!
- The bottom of the mugs will be marked with an “Artist Collab” logo.
Why are you doing this?
I find collaborative work very rewarding, and I’m very interested to see other artists’ decorations on my forms. There are so many amazing artists in our studio, with such varied approaches to pottery. I also find that pottery can often become a solitary practice, but it doesn’t always have to be.
Mostly, I hope it’ll be fun, and I hope that this project will help foster more collaborations in the future.
What if I don’t like the mug I receive?
This is an exploratory project. If you’re uncomfortable with surprises/restrictions, this collaborative project may not be the best fit for you. If you have questions, please reach out.
What if I don’t like the final mug after it is decorated and fired?
That happens! All participants will be asked for approval before images are shared or mugs are sold. The goal is to document the project while making sure everyone feels comfortable with what’s presented publicly.
Who can participate?
The Artist Collab is open to the Studio72 community. Depending on interest, the number of participants may be limited.
What if I do not finish decorating my mug?
- Finished or unfinished mugs should be returned to Ryan
- If a mug is not returned, a $25 fee will apply
- If something breaks or otherwise goes wrong you won’t be penalized, just communicate. I want this to be a fun project for everyone.
What will happen to the mugs after they are photographed?
This is a non-profit, community-focused project. The intention is to honour everyone’s time and effort by using the finished pots to support a good cause.
Possible options:
- Donate mugs to an existing silent auction
- Host an auction event ourselves, in-person or online, and donate proceeds
What is Collective72?
Collective72 (@collective72yeg) is an unofficial group of Studio72 potters who have engaged in collaborative projects. The purpose of the group is for artists to work together on markets and other projects, while differentiating our branding from Studio72 staff and management to avoid confusion.
Questions?
Email Ryan at r.m.hemphill@gmail.com, or use the contact form below.
Fearful Symmetry Ceramics 