307: Fall Fund Drive: Michael Connelly on converting former industrial spaces into a creative hub in Philadelphia

Today on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have an
interview with Michael Connelly. In his Phoenixville, PA studio
he makes functional pottery balancing highly engineered forms and
expressive line work. In our interview we talk about creating the
bones of a strong ceramic form, converting former industrial
spaces into creative space in the Brewerytown neighborhood of
Philadelphia, and finding work/life balance. To see examples of
his work visit www.connellypottery.com.


For today’s AMACO Community Corkboard we have the Tampa Tour De
Clay happening December 7th and 8th. The tour features 33 potters
in five locations around the greater Tampa FL area. Each location
will have demos by guest artists as well as hundreds of ceramic
artworks for sale. For more information visit
www.tampa-tour.squarespace.com. I’d like to thank Amaco/Brent for
sponsoring the community corkboard. Brent Equipment is
celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year and have created a
Limited Edition Black CXC wheel. For more information visit
www.amaco.com.


 


Hey Red Clay Rambler fans, the most common feedback I get from
you is that this podcast helps you feel connected to other
artists. We live in a divided time and many of us are working by
ourselves in solitary studios. The podcast combats that feeling
of isolation by fostering a sense of community, while also
providing an archive of our field. At this point our Patreon
sustaining membership program and our sponsors contribute less
than half of our monthly budget. My wife and I kick in the rest,
which we do out of love for the project, but as you can imagine
we could really use your help. The goal of our Fall Fund Drive is
to raise $12,000 for the next year. I care deeply about this
community, and I think art and making are vital to our world, now
more than ever. I’m guessing you feel the same, so if you are
able please donate to the show. Recurring donations are best
because it allows us to create a stable budget, but one-time
donations are also very helpful. You can find out more about
these two options at www.talesofaredclayrambler.com/donate.


 


Before I go, I want to ask one more favor. After you make your
donation ask a friend to match your pledge with their own. Word
of mouth is the best call to action, so I ask that you help me,
by encouraging your friends and studio mates to support the show.
With your help I can keep producing the interviews you have come
to love.