Today we’d like to introduce you to Karin Kraemer.
Hi Karin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began Glassblowing in art School in the early 80’s. I also did pottery then. I worked for glassblowers for about 8 years, also making my own work. I moved to West Virginia, and found it hard to work in glass, so I started pit firing clay in the yard. I got a job at the university working in the clay center on campus, and ventured into gas and electric kiln. My husband and I moved to Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. He was a biology researcher there. I started working at the University Craft shop Clay studio, and ended up attending Graduate school for Ceramics there. From there we went to Victioria, British Coulmbia in 1996. I traveled around and taught workshops there, and worked in my studio. In 1998, we moved back to the US to Duluth, MN, our dream destination! I’ve taught at two of our Colleges here, and many classes at the Duluth Art Institute. I rented a studio in Superior, WI across the St. Louis River, and worked there for years. My current co-potter Luke, and I started a non-profit Art Center there, in the Old City Hall. We learned to have a shop, do classes, put on events, of all sorts, and be the center of the community. So, when I bought an old paint store in the newly forming Lincoln Park Crafts District, we were ready to go. Duluth Pottery and Gallery has been open for 9 years now, and we represent 12 artists, have a three person clay studio, and a Letterpress print shop in house.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being an artist is a full life. You work alot, but like it. You have to be a maker, innovator, janitor, salesperson, accountant and all. I’ve had to have many irons in the fire at times, so some of them work. The fluctuations in the economy are always interesting! Since I bought and remodeled the commercial building, we’re gone through a lot of road construction covid and still are working. It’s been a challenge for creativity!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a potter that makes functional and decorative pots and tiles. The process is Maiolica glaze with hand painted decorations and paintings. I love it because it is loose and colorful, and adds life to the table. I love making pots and hearing folks use them. I also love that the work we have done in this neighborhood has been a uniting and community bulding endeavor.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
It was quite a challenge buying a building, and taking on loans at 51. I joke that if I had known how that first year was gonna go, I wouldn’t have tried! But, it has worked out well. You can always change relults of a decision by making another decision!
Pricing:
- My work (and the art in our gallery) range from $25 to $5000
- I have to watch the market for similar work at galleries and Fine art fairs to get the right mix for me. I have noticed inflation in art pricing the last two years. My material costs hav doubled, so it’s necessary.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.duluthpottery.com
- Instagram: duluth_pottery_art_gallery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duluthpottery
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuGqhbg65YQ
