Ken Maddux
I can say that my first experiences with clay were “smashing” successes. Our prof. literally stood next to the kiln with a hammer, while we unloaded the kiln. “Do you want this piece to last for 10,000 years?”, he’d ask. With that, he’d hold out the hammer. Most of my early pieces went into the shard bucket. Persistence does pay, however, and by my second class, I was actually producing pieces I kept.
After completing a Masters in Art Education, I continued working in a small studio in my first apartment. During a wonderful and rewarding high school teaching career, I began a small advertising studio and printing company. My career path then led me to Minneapolis Community College to teach commercial photography, cartooning and other related subjects. While moving into administration as a dean and eventually a vice president at Winona Community and Technical College and St. Cloud Community and Technical College, I was hired by St. Cloud State University to form and direct its entrepreneurial center. I was fortunate to complete my working career there in 2005.
As a retirement gift, my sons took me on a mystery date. They asked me to wear jeans. We had a nice meal and upon leaving the little bistro, I thanked them, and they informed me that, that was only the first part of the date. I was then ushered next door to the pottery studios at the Paramount Trust in St. Cloud. The three of us spent the next hour throwing on the wheel. “I could still do this.” I guess it’s like riding a bike. Within a few months I had purchased a wheel and kiln on eBay, and Bending Pines Pottery was born. Within short order a bedroom at my cabin and half of the garage were converted into working studio spaces.
I have been holding sales of my work on Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend since 2007. While in the early years, sales were a bit lean, they grew (prior to Covid) to sales of 150-200 pieces in 12 hours, over the two days of each sale. Now with the addition of horsehair raku, and a steady stream of commissions I am averaging 400-450 pieces annually. That’s getting close to my limit, but allows me to participate in an activity that connects me to others around the world, and over centuries.
I am happy to say that my work is probably being used somewhere each day. It can be found in kitchens and in private collections throughout the US, Mexico and Europe.
Stop by and see me at my annual Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend sales.