DESCRIPTION

Large stoneware pottery vase hand thrown by Frank Willett probably in the 1960's to 1970's. The vase is signed on the bottom "Willett". The vase measures approximately 16 inches tall and the top is 4 inches in diameter, the base is 5 inches in diameter.

BIOGRAPHY OF DESIGNER

Frank Willett (1929-2020), Willett held an MA in Fine Art from CSU Los Angeles and taught high school art in California before moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1971. In Santa Fe Willett established Santa Fe Pottery on historic Guadalupe Street. A working studio where he produced and sold his own pottery and mentored fledgling potters, who went on to forge their own careers in ceramics. He collaborated in many ceramic adventures, producing Sunridge Pottery, a line of functional wheel-thrown and slab-made pottery for both the wholesale and retail markets, designed and produced “Santa Fe Lights”, ceramic architectural lighting fixtures, and continued to sell work in his Santa Fe Pottery. shop. He was one of the original founders of New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists in the early 1970's and participated in cultural exchanges with Kazakhstan and Korea. Santa Fe Pottery was sold in 2003 but has continued to make one-of-a-kind pieces in his home studio. Noted as a New Mexican artist who has worked with clay, while remaining true to himself and his artistic vision, Willett continued to be a role model for his fellow artists.

Awarded the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2013, Frank Willett’s work in high fired porcelain and stoneware was recognized in that award as being widely known and respected in the ceramic art community in New Mexico.

In addition to the Governor’s Award, he was honored by the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2002, was featured in the December 2005 issue of Ceramics Monthly, and was included in the Ceramic Arts Yearbooks 2015. His work has been shown in numerous invitational and juried shows, including an invitational show in the New Mexico Governor’s Gallery, an invitational show of New Mexico potters at Santa Fe Clay, and, most recently, an exhibit of ceramics, “Critical Chaos”, in conjunction with an NCECA conference, “Critical Santa Fe, A Symposium” in the Gallery at Santa Fe Community College.

He has taught wheel throwing classes and has given workshops at several colleges and ceramic educational institutions in the region. He was an active member of the New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists (NMPCA) lending his expertise as judge of the Clay Olympics, juror for the Celebration of Clay, lecturing and demonstrating at NMPCA Ghost Ranch workshops, and showing his pieces in the annual Celebration of Clay Exhibitions.

CONDITION

The stoneware vase is in very good vintage condition, no chips, cracks or discolorations noted.

SHIPPING

The piece will be shipped via FEDERAL EXPRESS in the US and USPS outside the US, the item will be packed well with bubble wrap and shipped in a sturdy cardboard box, fully insured and the package will have to be signed upon delivery.  Please CONTACT with your ADDRESS and ZIP CODE for SHIPPING CHARGES.  

PLEASE NOTE DESCRIPTION, CONDITION AND PHOTOGRAPHS CAREFULLY, FEEL FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND TO REQUEST OTHER PHOTOGRAPHS, RETURNS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.  THIS ITEM IS SOLD "AS IS" AND "AS DESCRIBED".