Sean O'Connell ( He/Him )

I believe in the beauty of handmade objects. Making functional pottery is a deliberate attempt at slowing down, taking time to master skills, and connecting to a deeper appreciation of simple pleasures. When making pots, I am less concerned with novel originality as I am with functionality and aesthetics. The forms are utilitarian, while surfaces focus on allowing space for decoration as well as unique qualities expressed by the materials themselves.

Sean received his BFA, from the Kansas City Art Institute, and MFA in Ceramics at the School for American Crafts, Rochester Institute of Technology in New York State. He’s attended several Artist-In-Residencies, including: Salad Day’s at Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, ME, the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, MT, and Penland School of Craft, in Penland, NC. In 2013 he was named one of Ceramics Monthly’s Emerging Artists and in 2016 as one of six Emerging Artists at the annual NCECA conference. Sean has taught at numerous universities, colleges, and Art Centers. Most notably at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Alberta University of the Arts in Calgary, AB, Canada, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts and Penland School of Craft. He offers lectures, exhibits his work, and teaches workshops nationally.