Established in 2019 and funded by an anonymous donor, Studio Potter’s Grants for Apprenticeships Program (GAP) supports emerging artists who want to become full-time studio potters and mentor-potters who wish to take on an apprentice. This grant program fosters individual careers in studio pottery, contributing to the future of ceramics, ensuring the continuity of a centuries-old tradition in non-academic education, and, most broadly, upholding humanitarian values.

In this inaugural year, competition for the GAP grants was fierce. Twenty applications vied for five $10,000 grants. A committee of professionals assessed the applications through a rigorous scoring process. Congratulations to the following groups of mentor potters and their apprentices! Look for updates on their work throughout the year on our news page and on social media by following @thestudiopotter. Learn more about the GAP program here.

Naomi Dalglish and Michael Hunt, Bandana Pottery

Apprentice: Devin O’Connor

Bakersville, North Carolina

bandanapottery.com

Devin O’Connor will continue into her second year of apprenticeship at Bandana Pottery. She recently completed her BFA at the University of North Florida, immediately prior to beginning the apprenticeship in 2018. Follow Bandana Pottery @bandanapottery, and Devin @devinoco. 

Kevin Crowe, Tye River Pottery

Apprentice: Samuel Deering 

Amherst, Virginia

kevincrowepottery.com

Samuel Deering is a Navy veteran and first experienced clay post-service while attending college on the GI Bill. In 2017 he met Kevin and began an apprenticeship at Tye River Pottery. Samuel holds an associate’s degree in fine arts and will soon complete an associate’s degree in business management. Follow him @spottedhorse_pottery.

Steve Theberge

Apprentice: Nuri On

Florence, Massachusetts

stevetheberge.com

Nuri On earned a BFA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2017. He will begin his apprenticeship in August. Follow Steve @stevethebergeceramics, and Nuri @__nurio (that's two underscores before nurio).

Simon Levin, Mill Creek Pottery

Apprentices: Daniel Pfohl and Brian Chen

Pawnee, Illinois

Simon Levin will be working with two apprentices, his current apprentice Brian Chen, and incoming apprentice, Daniel Pfohl. Brian earned a BA from Colorado College in Organismal Biology and Ecology in 2018, and began his apprenticeship in February. Daniel earned a BFA from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2018, and will begin his apprenticeship in August of 2019. Follow Simon @woodfire, Brian @brianchenpottery, and Daniel @pfohlpottery.

Ryan Greenheck

Apprentice: Megan Deninno

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

ryanjgreenheck.com

Megan Deninno currently works as Studio Manager of New York Stoneware. Megan will move from New York City to Philadelphia to begin her apprenticeship in September. Her apprenticeship will include the development of a community outreach event based on her interest in bringing marginalized groups into the world of clay. Follow Ryan @ryanjgreenheck, and Megan @meganfrancis.d.