Pottery Northwest

The mission of Pottery Northwest is to develop and promote excellence in the ceramic arts. Pottery Northwest’s goal is to provide a professional facility in an educational atmosphere for the enhancement of skills in the medium of clay. This is achieved by providing studio space, classes, professional workshops, lectures, community programs, and a gallery dedicated to the sale and exhibition of ceramic works.

Pottery Northwest, recently celebrating its 40th Anniversary, was incorporated as a non-profit arts organization in 1966. The pottery grew out of The Seattle Clay Club. In the early years the pottery, kilns and all, actually resided on the second floor of the Center House at Seattle Center. Later the pottery relocated to a garage building that it now shares with the groundskeepers for the Seattle Center complex at the corner of 1st Avenue N. and Thomas Street. Pottery Northwest is in fact one of the oldest resident organizations at the Seattle Center.

Since its beginning Pottery Northwest has been a resource for community classes, professional workshops and exhibitions with nationally and internationally recognized artists in the field. Many youth and school groups have also made use of this resource. This past year Pottery Northwest hosted over 1000 individuals as students, workshop participants, attendance at lectures, and countless others as visitors to exhibitions and community events. One of its most important functions is to serve as a professional facility for those with a serious commitment to ceramics as they prepare to establish their own studio. Past studio residents have gone on to prestigious teaching positions and to garner significant awards. Jamie Walker is currently a professor of ceramics at the University of Washington and Flintridge Foundation Award recipient. Tip Toland is a recent recipient of the Virginia A. Groot Foundation Award for sculpture. Many others have gone on to professional careers in the field. On the occasion of its 30th Anniversary, Pottery Northwest received the American Craft Council Award of Distinction.