Congratulations to giveaway winner Holly Hanessian! Recipient of a Nidec-Shimpo VL-Whisper Pottery Wheel + Mudtools Trimming Set + Set of AMACO brent Velvet Underglaze Sprayz Kit! Read below to learn more about Holly’s artistic practice and plans for these new tools. I am ecstatic about winning. Thank you NCECA!!!!!!! The timing is amazing as I am about to retire from my full-time teaching job and will use this wheel in my studio to begin a new series of mutual aid activism and pottery serving vessels that will be used to serve food and drinks using my own recipes with vegetables that I or local farmers grow. The pottery and food will act as connective tissue to create community and support local mutual aid events. Imagine an Eventbrite studio event that takes place where the ticket money goes to Family and Immigration Rights Center here in Tallahassee, Florida, in November, on the weekend of the Day of the Dead. The organization would invite their support community to my studio. I would serve homemade tortillas with screen-printed skulls using a locally grown peppers and a hibiscus tea made from the roselle plant along with other goodies on vibrantly glazed ware surrounded by marigolds and the complimentary glazed sauce bowls. My work would be for sale and as well as the recipes. (fb)

Congratulations to Mudtools Essentials Kit giveaway winner Zachary England! Read below to learn more about Zachary’s artistic practice and plans for these new tools. Can you share information about where you and your art studio are based? I work out of my personal studio in Salt Lake City and am a BFA-ceramics student at the University of Utah. I also rent space at Red Kiln, a wonderful community studio here in Salt Lake. How do you envision using the Mudtools Essentials Kit? I've been a loyal user of Mudtools for years. I especially like the green and yellow ribs, the serrated ribs and the sponges. Working across multiple studios over the years has caused many of my favorites to be misplaced. How do you see these tools impacting your practice? I've been primarily a wheel potter for many years but am exploring more sculptural and conceptual handbuilt work lately. Share anything you hope to accomplish with your new tools! If you are sharing on social media, visit my Instagram--@saltlakepotter (fb)