Potter to give workshops at ISU April 18-19

Idaho State University will host a series of pottery workshops by Caldwell potter Dwight Crossley from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. April 18 and 19 at the ISU Vocational Art Studio.

The workshops are free and open to the public.Crossley brings 32 years of experience to ISU students and the public as he teaches them the skills of the trade, but is quick to remind students that being a successful potter takes a lifetime.

“After 32 years I can see that there is still much to learn and understand,” Crossley said. “I hope to see what another 32 year will offer.” 

At age 15, Crossley began his pottery career at Skyline High School in Idaho Falls. Then his family moved to Redding California where he completed his high school and formal education. His knowledge of pottery comes from his years of throwing on the potter’s wheel in the San Francisco Bay area and Southern California.

Throwing pottery is when an artist places clay on a potter’s wheel and then molds it to the form of his choosing.  

“My time as a thrower was extremely important to me as it allowed me to work with many potters.”

Crossley copied other artist’s work in order to gain his own unique skill and style.

“I usually worked with three to five potters at a time,” Crossley said. “One day porcelain mugs, the next large Raku vessels and maybe terra cotta the next. I gained a very broad and deep understanding of clay, wheel work and form during those years.”

Currently, Crossley limits his throwing to Karen Donleavy Designs in Caldwell, Idaho. “Throwing is a muscle memory, timing and balance-oriented skill that should be practiced daily,” he said.     Despite his time as a commercial thrower, Crossley now devotes most of his day to his own work. Recently, he has changed his focus from form to glaze.     “I feel a renewed sense of interest in my work similar to my early years when all I could think about was throwing,” Crossley said.

The event is sponsored by U.S. Bank and the Connie Smith Bowen Arts Series.

For more information, contact Tony Martin at 282-3693 or 282-3316 or martanth@isu.edu.