APPRENTICESHIP SUMMARY

This ceramic-based apprenticeship will focus on apprentice artist Lydia Johnson’s goals to further build upon her technical skills, hone in on her personal vision, all while learning the ins-and-outs of running a ceramic studio and retail shop with mentor artist Marian Baker. On the technical side, she hopes to consistently produce pots in varying sizes, and dive deeper into surface decoration and glaze application techniques. Additionally, Lydia will develop her studio practice by working alongside Marian in her seasonal studio and retail shop, Islesford Pottery, located on the small remote island of Islesford (aka Little Cranberry Island). The pair will accomplish Lydia’s goals through 100 hours of one-on-one training.

MENTOR

Marian Baker (Yarmouth + Islesford, ME)

Marian Baker makes pots in her studio in Yarmouth, Maine and has maintained a summer studio and gallery at Little Cranberry Island, Maine since 1989. She taught ceramics at Maine College of Art & Design in Portland from 1985 to 2020. She has been featured in Ceramics Monthly, Studio Potter Magazine, The Clay Times, Maine Home and Design, and is represented in many books and publications. She was awarded the Maine Craft Artist Award in 2021 by Maine Craft Association. Recent exhibitions include Tilth and Tide, Courtyard Gallery, Sacramento (NCECA 2022), To Unravel the Bind, Maine College of Art Faculty Triennial (2020), Strictly Functional Pottery National (2019), KC Clay Guild
Teabowl National (2019), On the Rocks Drinking Vessel Exhibition (2018), Twin Cups National, Kansas City Teabowl National (award winner), The Inspired Hand IV Invitational, Ignite and Invite: Watershed Ceramics Invitational, New
Hampshire Art Institute Ceramics Biennial. Galleries include Islesford Pottery, Charlie Cummings Gallery, and Maine Craft Portland.

“I met Lydia in early summer of 2022 in my shop on Islesford. We connected a few times that summer, getting to know each other and talking about pottery. She is an ideal apprentice for this situation, as she is close in proximity, she demonstrates a deep desire to increase her skills in throwing, learn more about glazing, and to learn about the business side of pottery. Lydia is good with people in a retail situation. Also importantly to me, she can be counted on, and is positive and fun.” – Marian Baker

APPRENTICE

Lydia Johnson  (Cranberry Isles, ME)

Lydia Johnson lives on Great Cranberry Island, Maine where she has built and is working in a home pottery studio. She received her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Cincinnati, with focuses in Interior Architecture and Communications. Lydia stumbled into ceramics her senior year and became captivated with the materials and processes. Although early in her practice, she is a dedicated and enthusiastic maker who derives inspiration from nature, textiles, and daily life. Her goal is to translate her exploration of patterns and color into functional everyday items. She finds working with her hands to be meditative and joyful. In addition to pottery, Lydia home-educates her two children, volunteers in several community organizations and is an avid knitter and writer. She hopes that her work
will inspire and comfort its users.

“Marian is my ideal mentor. First, her experience aligns with my goals. Marian’s career as a potter includes being a ceramics educator at MECA&D and owner of Islesford Pottery for 33 years. Secondly, there is no geographic barrier. Living year-round on an unbridged island creates many obstacles and the opportunity to partner with someone on a neighboring island is a gift. Finally, Marian and I respect one another. I believe we have good chemistry and would work well together..” – Lydia Johnson