What a whirlwind of a weekend at the Michiana Pottery Tour… wow.
So incredibly grateful for all of the people I was able to talk to this weekend, and for all the pots that found new forever (at least we hope) homes!
This weekend was bittersweet. Endings and beginnings. New opportunities waiting for me while saying goodbye to previous ones. MPT ’24 marked the end of my apprenticeship with Justin Rothshank (which I’ll touch on more in my next post), so I couldn’t help but feel melancholy while off-loading my pots into my salsa red Prius.
After the tour was over, I had dinner with my parents and roommate. The ice cream had been eaten and the coffee cups sat drank on the table. Post-dinner conversation started and I couldn’t help but remark how immensely grateful I am to this community of clay people that have made me who I am.
I am not a singularity. I am who I am now because of the immense support I’ve felt from this community of clay people. I am so grateful to every internship, college clay class, and art show conversation that I’ve had on this 5 year journey in clay.
In 2018, in Ceramics 1 at Goshen college, I was assigned to throw a 6-inch cylinder. I was going through my sophomore slump. Sitting down at the wheel, all of the noise in my brain dropped away, and I could finally focus on what what was in front of me. If I had any idea what that simple assignment would lead me to, I would have been overwhelmed with both joy, and meaningful sorrow right there in the Goshen College clay studio. 5 years of ups and downs in clay awaited me and I had no idea.
So now with Michiana Pottery Tour ’24 behind me and my apprenticeship coming to a close, I’m excited for the next 5 years. I’m sure it will be great. I’m sure it will suck. I’m sure I have no idea.
So come along with me. Join me on the journey. Let’s do this together because I know one thing for certain: I will not be able to do it alone.
Love you all,
Nathan
potterpauls 