Matt Schiemann
Director/Co-Owner
Matthew Schiemann is a second-generation potter that grew up watching and
helping his dad create ceramic works. This early exposure taught Matt to
appreciate the handmade object and eventually to choose the field of ceramics
for himself. He received his Bachelors of Arts in Sculpture and Ceramics from
Ashland University in 2005 and his Masters of Fine Arts in Ceramics at Southern
Illinois University Carbondale in 2009.
While in graduate school, Matt worked as Harris Deller’s personal assistant and
as a Teaching Assistant for the wheel throwing and industrial design courses.
During this time, he began building his own body of work focused on functional
pottery fired in atmospheric kilns.
After graduating from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Matt was accepted
as an artist in residence at the St. Petersburg Clay Company. Shortly after being
accepted as A.I.R. Matt became an adjunct professor at Eckerd College for PEL
program’s ceramics department. In October of 2010, Matt became co-owner/director
of the St. Petersburg Clay Company.
Artist Statement
Being a second-generation potter, my rural home was alive with handmade
objects. This influenced both my growth as a person and as an artist. I envision
my pottery in people’s homes, filling their cabinets, displayed out on dining room
tables, and laying used and enjoyed at the bottom of a sink. The home represents
a place for family and friends to gather and enjoy each other’s company. I want
my pots to be a part of the conversations and stories that are shared during times
of celebration as well as day to day happenings.
Landscape also plays a large role in my pottery. During my childhood and into
my adult life, my free time was spent lazily strolling down a country road and
camping in the forests of local state parks. The hills, mountains and rivers, that
I interact with when I am hiking or camping are the reference points for the forms
of my pottery.
It is the atmospheric kilns that I find most appropriate for creating the surfaces
of my pots. It is important that the pots catch the flame and force it to flow through
the crevices and around the body of the pot. I want my pots to catch the flame
and be scarred by its’ movement. I imagine the flame moving through the kiln in
much of the same manner a river would flow through a valley. I try to recreate
the same feelings and emotions that I receive in nature and relive them in my
work. My pottery allows me to experience personal memories and express
emotions while still allowing the viewer to be able to relate to the forms and
functions of the pieces.
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