In the world of pottery, mugs are the gateway, a common first purchase for someone exploring the weight and feel of artisan clay.
In Minnesota, pottery mugs have a special added function: retaining the heat of steaming beverages during cold months, warming hands and hearts at the same time.
When stocking St. Paul’s Grand Hand Gallery, co-owners Mary Whitney and Cathy Weyerhaeuser rely on the mugs.
“They’re selling. It’s bread and butter products,” Weyerhaeuser says.
Weyerhaeuser knows from experience that the cup she loves might not be someone else’s cup of tea, so to speak. She and the gallery’s buyers are drawn to creations that match their tastes and styles, whether it’s a down-to-earth side of Warren McKenzie or elegant sophistication.
“We are always on the lookout for new potters,” she says. “We try to get as wide a range of work as possible and display it in a museum-like way, with a collection of each artist’s work.”
And then, she lets work and buyer find each other. Some customers are surprised by the prices.
“Some people are used to finding cheap things at Target, which has amazing design for no cost. So he tries to teach people what is unique and handcrafted, and art and craftsmanship. craftsmanship. You can find this mug that no one else will have, maybe it’s perfect for your girlfriend on her birthday.”
Photo: Ryan Dyer www.ryandyer.com; Artistic director and stylist: Barbara Schmidt, studiobstyle.com
Hanging cups, top row: The Leaching Pottery, $28, northclaycenter.org; Alex Guy*, $35, dock6pottery.com; Maggie Jaszczak*, $50, thegrandhand.com.
Hanging cups, middle row: Minsoo Yuh, $150, northclaycenter.org; Jennica Kruse*, $26, dock6pottery.com; Ryan Ball*, $50, dock6pottery.com; Sandra Daulton Shaughnessy*, $50, thegrandhand.com.
Hanging cups, bottom row: Amy Von Bargen*, $36; Dolores Fortuna, $44; David Swenson*, $75; all on thegrandhand.com.
Table on the far left (from left to right): Olivia Tani*, $89, northclaycenter.org; Johnee Law McMahan, $25, dock6pottery.com; Paola Evangelista*, one of five, $130, dock6pottery.com; Matthew Krousey*, $40, thegrandhand.com.
Table on the left (from left to right): Wendy Eggerman*, $30; Nancy Green, $50; Kat Wheeler, $60; Joe Singewald*, $40; Jeff Oestreich*, $110; and SC Rolf, $48; all northclaycenter.org.
* Minnesota Artists