Renowned artist Richard Notkin visits art students to share, teach and inspire

November 23, 2009

Not many students can say they spent the afternoon watching a renowned artist at work. However, for ceramic students this educational and inspiring experience has been made possible by the Visiting Artists Program.

The Visiting Artists Program has been bringing professional artists to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to enhance the experience of art students. The program started more than 30 years ago and has since been bringing artists to campus almost every semester.

"It's an opportunity to see another artist's work, their process, techniques and outlook on art," said Charlie Olson, professor of art. "Students are able to ask questions and receive comments from other artists besides just their professors."

"It's interesting to get a glimpse of the day-to-day life of a professional artist," senior ceramist Michael Kern said. "It helps to hear artist struggles and accomplishments."

This semester's artist was Richard Notkin. Notkin is an internationally known ceramic artist. Notkin's artwork is displayed in famous public collections like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England, the National Collection of Fine Arts at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., as well as in museums in Japan, Norway, Canada and the Netherlands. Notkin has done 35 solo exhibits and given more than 300 workshops.

"We are all so thrilled to have such renowned artist come to campus," Olson said.

Notkin gave a lecture as well as several workshops where students had a chance to watch him at work and engage in open dialogue.

"I was born with a need to express myself," Notkin said. "Becoming an artist wasn't a choice but a part of who I was."

Notkin is perhaps best known for his teapots but has recently done exhibits with the ear form. During Notkin's workshop students had a chance to watch his famous ear in the making.

"It's really awesome to see artists like Notkin and have the realization that you can actually live off your art," Chanda Droske, senior ceramist said.

"Each artist brings different techniques to the table," Jennifer Yunker, senior ceramist said. "I always leave feeling motivated."

"Figure out a way to structure life to be able to do what you love," Notkin said to the UW-Whitewater students.

The Visiting Artists Program is made possible by student fundraising and grants. For more information, contact Olson at 262-472-1318 or olsonc@uww.edu.