Today we’d like to introduce you to Evan Hestekin.
Hi Evan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always been one to think outside the box, never quite fitting in with others. Rather than go to college I took an apprenticeship with a potter. He taught me invaluable skills to create, sell, and thrive as a potter. Many art fairs, farmer’s markets, and moves later I wound up in northern Wisconsin. My wife and I bought a house in Cornucopia in 2011 and immediately built a studio so I could begin pottery production at home. The following spring I rented a shop in the harbor downtown and the Hestekin Pottery storefront was formed. I eventually bought the shop and continue to run it seasonally today.
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?
Roads are never smooth. The road I live down is gravel and at times, depending on storms or snow, it’s not passable. Building my life as an artist is much the same. I love working with clay and producing art; I knew I wanted to pursue it 100%. In the beginning, though, I had to take side jobs in order to support developing my business. Some were pleasant, others were difficult. Making the jump from part time work to solely relying on my art was tough but essential to growth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a potter, specializing in handmade clay and handmade glazes for my functional pots. Every part of it is handmade from the treadle wheel I throw pottery on to the wood kiln I built to fire the pots. When you walk into my pottery shop you may not know that level of work behind the pottery but you can see the quality of each piece and the vibrancy of the glazes. My colors are bright and my forms are just right for daily use. I combine utilitarian value with beauty to enhance every meal, every sip, every bouquet.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There have been many along the way! My regular customers, both early on and those with me today, are at the top. Without them I wouldn’t have had the support needed to become a successful artist.
My apprenticeship with Dave Caradori of Caradori Pottery in Eau Claire taught me so much. High school pottery classes sparked an interest and learning from Dave grew that interest into a potential career.
I’ve been doing pottery for about 25 years now and for the past 15 of those years my biggest support has been from my wife, Sadie Hestekin. Having someone who believes in you and works with you through the difficulties, year after year, is invaluable. When I needed to find a new studio space we had been dating for six months. I said, using my hands to demonstrate, “rent for a studio plus an apartment is this much, mortgage is this much…” Without hesitation she said “sounds like we’re buying a house!” And that’s truly what launched me into becoming a successful artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hestekinpottery.com
- Instagram: @hestekinpottery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hestekinpottery
