Artists
Richard Bresnahan
Richard Bresnahan grew up in Casselton, North Dakota, working at his father’s grain elevators and on the farms of his relatives. At Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, he studied with potter Bill Smith and art historian Sister Johnna Becker, OSB, who secured him an apprenticeship with a 13th-generation pottery family in Karatsu, Japan. After roughly four years of apprenticeship with this Living National Treasure family, Richard earned the designation Master Potter. He returned to Collegeville in 1979, where he established the Saint John’s Pottery, building a pottery program centered on the integration of aesthetic, scientific, humanistic, and moral approaches to eco-mutual living in relation to nature. In nearby Avon Township, Richard and his wife, Colette Bresnahan (pictured, left), built their home and raised their family. Richard continues, for more than 40 years, to be director of the Saint John’s Pottery and artist-in-residence of Saint John’s University and College of Saint Benedict.
Daniel Smith
Daniel Smith joined the Saint John's Pottery in 2018, starting as an apprentice and in 2022 taking his current role as studio manager. He grew up in Golden Valley, Minnesota, playing music with his family and getting tips on drawing from his cartoonist uncle. At the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Daniel studied photography under Wanrudee Buranakorn and Jyl Kelley. After graduation, he worked in the studio of sculptor Michael Speaker, where he realized that developing the ability to speak fluently through a material was contingent on his knowing that material as best as possible. A visit to Saint John's Abbey brought Daniel to the tea table with Richard Bresnahan. In that meeting, Daniel saw the attainability of a direct relationship with one's materials. He came back to the Saint John’s Pottery for the 14th firing of the Johanna Kiln and has been a part of every firing since.
Carter Slette
Carter Slette graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, with degrees in Biology, Spanish, and Environmental Studies. He also completed a minor in Art, studying ceramics under Ross Hilgers. Prior to joining the Saint John's Pottery as an apprentice in 2024, he worked in native habitat restoration in the Red River Valley, based out of the Fargo-Moorhead area. The core values of the Saint John's Pottery and his own passion for environmentalism led to his apprenticeship with Pottery Studio.
Allison Breen
Allison Breen graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, with an English major, Art minor, and four years of work study in the college ceramics studio. After graduation, she studied with potter Ernest Miller in Nokomis (a neighborhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota) and taught ceramics classes. During her last summer at Luther, Allison’s work with teacher Joseph Madrigal to research, dig, and process local clay ignited her interest in the entire process of how material is made for a pottery studio. That same summer she met the artist John Sullivan, who had been a part of the Saint John's Pottery family for decades and encouraged Allison to visit. After volunteering at the 16th firing of the Johanna Kiln, Allison became an apprentice at the Saint John's Pottery in 2024.
Meet some Saint John's Pottery alumnus
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Luke Kiefer
Luke Kiefer was an apprentice of the Saint John’s Pottery from 2021–2023.
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Anne Meyer
Anne Meyer was an apprentice of the Saint John’s Pottery from 2004–2006.
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Shumpei Yamaki
Shumpei Yamaki was an apprentice of the Saint John’s Pottery from 2000–2002.
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Andy Juelich
Andy Juelich was an apprentice of the Saint John’s Pottery from 2006–2007.
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Stephen Earp
Stephen Earp was an apprentice of the Saint John’s Pottery from 1986–1988.
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Jonathan Walburg
Jonathan Walburg was an apprentice of the Saint John’s Pottery from 2004–2006.
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Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson was an apprentice of the Saint John’s Pottery from 1996–2000.
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David G. Swenson
David G. Swenson was an apprentice of the Saint John’s Pottery from 1984–1985.
THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
The Saint John's Pottery Apprenticeship Program is an immersive experience based on traditional models of generational learning. It provides formal training in the making of pottery, sustainable resource development, and contemporary art theory.
From 1981 to the present, more than 50 apprentices have trained at the Saint John's Pottery, each receiving stipends, room, and board as part of their apprenticeship at the Studio. Since 2016, the apprenticeship benefits package was expanded to include healthcare. The success of the Apprenticeship Program is demonstrated by the fact that all former apprentices are still involved in the creative process, working with clay or other mediums, either in a teaching environment or in their own studios.
Image Credits
Paul Wegner created portraits of the following artists: Colette and Richard Bresnahan; Daniel Smith; Luke Kiefer; Shumpei Yamaki; Jonathan Walburg; Samuel Johnson; Drew, David, and Emma Swenson.
Talia Stumpf created the portrait of Carter Slette.
Jurgen Dovre created the portrait of Allison Breen.
Aremy Stewart created the portrait of Anne Meyer.
Andy Juelich created the portrait of Andy Juelich.
Wylie Earp created the portrait of Stephen and Cindy Earp.