Nathan Thomas Groff Pauls (b. 1999) is a potter and creative living in Goshen, Indiana. Lancaster, Pennsylvania is Pauls’ boyhood home and he moved to Goshen for college in fall of 2017. It was at Goshen College were Pauls got into pottery after taking his first ceramics class with Merrill Krabill in his sophomore year in 2018. Pauls graduated in 2021 with BFA in Art and Communication.
After college, Pauls worked as a production potter at MudLove in Warsaw, Indiana. At the same time, he began his internship with Justin Rothshank. It was with Rothshank were he was first introduced to wood and soda fired kilns, the ins and out of a one-person production pottery studio and how to operate and use a wood splitter. Lots of wood.
Pauls current is undertaking a year-long apprenticeship with Rothshank, funded through a $15,000 grant from The Studio Potter Magazine.
Artist Statement
Ever since the global pandemic forced people out of public places and into their home (and on their phones), I’ve becoming increasingly aware of how time on our personal devices on social media is no substitute for in person connection. I make my pottery with two things in mind:
1)Human connection is vital for our survival.1. And with that in mind,
2)Time spent online, specifically on social media, is no replacement for in-person connection.
When I make, I want my work to be a way to actively spark analogue human connection. When I say work, I speak both of my day to day labor and the pieces I create. I want both my professional interactions with others and the pots I create to leave the person feeling lighter than before they encountered them. I believe that entering into one of the oldest human traditions on the planet2 is one of the best ways for me to achieve this goal.
I view social media as a tool in the toolbox of human relation. But the danger lies in when social media is the only tool available. Too much time spent on social media skews our view of others and ourselves and can lead to negatively comparing ourselves to others3 Social media is fabulous for connecting with new friends and professional contacts. But I believe we must take those connections a step further, from the digital connection to the in-person relationship.
That is why I make pottery.
I believe that making pots with funny drawings and sculpted silly faces attached to the sides will help bring people closer to each other. People need to laugh. A successful studio practice for me is making pots that help bring people together with laughter and a shared meal or drink.
- Dean Ornish, M.D., Love and Survival (HarperCollins, 1998), 35-39. ↩︎
- Miller, Deborah. 2009. “Chinese Pottery May Be Earliest Discovered.” ↩︎
- McLean Hospital. 2023. “The Social Dilemma: Social Media and Your Mental Health.” ↩︎
Resume/CV
EDUCATION
2021 B.A. Art and Communication. Concentrations in Ceramics and Writing. Goshen College. Goshen, Indiana
SELECTED EXPERIENCE
2023-2024 Apprentice to Justin Rothshank. Rothshank Artworks. Goshen, Indiana
2023 Studio Assistant to Isaac and Karina Shue. Gallery Mostaza. Harper, Kansas
2021–2023 Production Potter. MudLOVE. Warsaw, IN
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2024 Mudflat Cup Show. Mudflat Studio. Somerville, MA
2023 Holiday Michiana Pottery Tour. Goshen Theater. Goshen, IN
2023 Michiana Pottery Tour. Sadie Misiuk’s Studio. Goshen, IN
SELECTED AWARDS
2023 $15,000 Grant for Apprenticeship. Studio Potter Magazine.
RESIDENCIES
2023 Gallery Mostaza Artist Residency. Harper, Kansas
PANELS
2023 Tag Team: The Reciprocal Power of Studio Mentorship. Panelist. Lead by Alex Paat. Indiana Clay Conference. Bloomington, IN
Mentions and Articles
Nathan Pauls, Ceramic Artist – Goshen Arts Council
Potter Pauls: A Photo Essay – The Goshen College Record
Reviews
“Really cool design, looks great, feels good! Arrived quickly and packaged very safely and securely” – Nick
“I received the most perfect mug from this shop. Artist was quick to communicate options and helpful with my indecisiveness. Excellent quality, beautiful artistry & unique item. Happy to finally own a drinking vessel from this maker; I’ve been following on IG for some time.” – Kristen
“Really great mug. Perfect size, comfortable handle and lip. And, it’s beautiful. I have a mug in my hand most of the day and this one’s a winner. Friendly owner/artist. Definitely recommend.“ -Jennifer
“Gorgeous, stunning, a complete 10/10. This mug cured my depression. The packaging was very thorough (think Russian nesting dolls).” – Lexus
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