Welcome to the Saint John's Pottery online gallery, featuring a selection of work by Richard Bresnahan and artists of the Pottery.
All proceeds benefit the Saint John's Pottery, artists and programs.
At the front fire-mouth, during the lighting ceremony for the 16th firing of the Johanna Kiln, October 7, 2022. This photograph, and cover photograph, by Nate Jorgensen.
One of the stoke holes of the first chamber of the Johanna Kiln. Photograph by Nate Jorgensen.
Firing crew, first weekend of the firing, at the front firemouth. Photograph by Nate Jorgensen.
Firing charts, first weekend. Photograph by Nate Jorgensen.
Wood piles after the firing has moved in to the Tanegashima chamber. Photograph by Nate Jorgensen.
Richard Bresnahan removing a cup from a stoke hole in the Tanegashima chamber, as a draw test. Photograph by Nate Jorgensen.
The draw test cup, after being dunked in water. Photograph by Nate Jorgensen.
Stoking the Tanegashima chamber. Photograph by Nate Jorgensen.
Stoking the Tanegashima chamber. Photograph by Nate Jorgensen.
Closing a stoke hole after stoking the Tanegashima chamber. Photograph by Nate Jorgensen.
— IN THE NEWS —
OCTOBER 2024
The 17th firing of the Johanna Kiln took place October 11–20, 2024.
Minnesota Public Radio—“10 days, 10,000 objects and one very large kiln” (October 21, 2024).
Project Optimist— “Saint John's Pottery forges community” (October 22, 2024).
The Saint Cloud Times—“St. John's Pottery begins the 17th firing of the Johanna Kiln” (October 17, 2024).
CSB/SJU Newsroom—“17th firing of the Johanna Kiln at The Saint John’s Pottery starts Friday” (October 7, 2024)
The Chronicle of Higher Education—“Blending the work of head and hand” (January 8, 2025)
APRIL 2024
The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., published an article authored by Paul Schmelzer, featuring Richard Bresnahan and the Saint John’s Pottery.
National Gallery of Art—“Richard Bresnahan Navigates an ‘Eco-Mutual’ Future” (April 15, 2024)
Shop by Artist
Founder and director of the Saint John’s Pottery, for more than 40 years Richard Bresnahan has served as artist-in-residence of Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict.
Daniel Smith ———
Studio manager since 2022, Daniel Smith joined the Saint John’s Pottery in 2018 as an apprentice.
Carter Slette ———
Apprentice Carter Slette joined the Saint John’s Pottery in 2024.
Allison Breen ———
Apprentice Allison Breen joined the Saint John’s Pottery in 2024.
Luke Kiefer ———
A potter from western Pennsylvania, Luke Kiefer was an apprentice of the Saint John’s Pottery from 2021–2023.
