Local Pottery That’s as Useful as It Is Gorgeous
These regionally made pottery pieces are practical, handy—and beautiful
By Gwendolyn Elliott June 12, 2019
This article originally appeared in the June 2019 issue of Seattle magazine.
This article appears in print in the June 2019 issue. Click here to subscribe.
In this era of Marie Kondo and downsizing, our home decor and household tools really have their work cut out for them. Thankfully, a cohort of regional ceramic artists are producing useful objects that are also works of art, including mugs, vases, serving ware and more.
Sean Forest Roberts brings what he calls “an experimental mind-set” to his creations at Forest Ceramic Company (available at forestceramic.com and multiple retailers, including Click! Design That Fits, West Seattle, 4540 California Ave. SW; 206.328.9252), the porcelain studio he founded on Orcas Island. His dazzling marbled tumblers, bowls and plates are evocative of solar systems, sunsets and pastel-hued landscapes—perfectly practical for a garden party or any other purpose you can imagine.
You’ll find vases, planters, terrariums, mugs and more at Saltstone Ceramics (Wallingford, 2206 N 45th St.; 206.362.0836; saltstoneceramics.com), a ceramic studio, gallery and artist’s workshop started by Sarah Steininger Leroux. We love the geometric patterning on the teapots, pitchers and carafes in her “Mountain” series—they’re as Instagram-worthy and tea-party-approved as they come.
Deborah Schwartzkopf’s Rat City Studios (by appointment; White Center, 2410 SW 106th St.; 206.653.4490; ratcitystudios.com) is home to her handsome, hardy earthenware as well as the work of a rotating group of studio assistants. We’re charmed by her Art to Table CSA, a pottery subscription service offering different styles of dinner plates (some of which you may recognize on restaurant tables around town). Schwartzkopf hosts an annual open studio and potluck each summer, with this year’s event set for June 29 (more details here).
Perhaps the best-known local ceramic restaurant supplier is Akiko’s Pottery (by appointment; White Center, 10847 Third Ave. S; 206.763.3108; akikospottery.com)—and Akiko Graham’s output shows it (the wait list for some pieces is up to a year long; check out this article for a look at some, or visit the studio’s open house June 16). But her Japanese-inspired bowls, sushi plates and other wares are worth the wait. In this era of simplifying, it pays to heed the advice of 19th-century British designer William Morris, who once said, “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
Follow Us
Getting Ghosted
Kim Fu’s latest novel turns a rain-soaked Pacific Northwest winter into the backdrop for a story about grief and loneliness.
In their latest novel, Seattle-based author Kim Fu gets one thing right about the Pacific Northwest: the rain. Set during a particularly bleak winter, The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts tells the story of Eleanor Fan, an online therapist grappling with the recent loss of her mother, Lele. After Lele’s passing, Eleanor inherits money to put…
Go See Diné Artist Eric-Paul Riege’s Largest Show to Date at the Henry Art Gallery
With a mix of mediums, ojo|-|ólǫ́ examines questions surrounding the authenticity and ownership of Indigenous work.
It’s a phrase that’s been drilled into most of us since we were young children: When you’re visiting a gallery, please, do not touch the art. In many cases, it’s with good reason: the pieces on display are fragile, one-of-a-kind, or historic works that cannot be reproduced. It’s such an ingrained approach to the museum-going…
Rearview Mirror: Ballet’s Saddest Story, New Art in the Sculpture Park, and a Home-Grown Wine Label Promoting Social Justice
Things I did, saw, ate, learned, or read in the past week (or so).
Circular Thinking I am very lucky to live just a 12-minute walk away from Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park. It’s a regular destination for my weekly walks and, aside from the world-class art, has one of the city’s best views of Puget Sound. Earlier this week, I went on a wet, windy walk and discovered…
Studio Sessions: Gabriel Stromberg
For his current show at studio e gallery, Gabriel Stromberg explores the challenges of working with clay.
Gabriel Stromberg has been a name about town for nearly two decades. As one of the cofounders of design firm Civilization (where he was the creative director and lead designer from 2008 to 2022), Stromberg worked on many award-winning projects, helped produce the wildly popular and always packed Design Lecture Series, and co-created and moderated…