We are happy to have my friend from our studio days at the Wheelhouse in Mill Valley and Sausalito as a Visiting Artist in the evening on Monday, May 18th. Save the Date!! and contact Ellen directly to sign up and register.
Brett's focus for the evening is Tall Pots, Bottles and more. He will focus on techniques necessary for making larger, challenging forms. From experience, I can say you will enjoy his presentation, good sense of humor and easygoing and friendly approach to teaching process.
One thing I first noticed when my studio space was next to Brett's was the reams and reams of test tiles for glazes he had, and each one was numbered and cataloged!! The other thing I soon realized is that when he arrived at the studio, he had a plan. He wedged up 10 balls of clay and started throwing. Before he left, there were 10 gorgeous new pots on his shelf. And that was what he intended and what he had time for that evening.
Brett led several community studio Raku days at our studios and it was when the teacher really showed up. He had everyone and everything organized so no one would get hurt and everyone would get their pot in during the day. These were long days that went into the evening. Yet Brett and I seemed to be the last to leave. His commitment to the community was clear, but he stayed until he had finished his own work that he needed to finish. Another thing I noticed was that each time was a new exploration for him. He was trying new techniques, new glazes and new forms. He never rested on his past accomplishments. He followed his curiosity, intuition and scientific approach into new adventures every time.
Brett Crawford is an accomplished artist, scientist, and community leader with a broad range of experience, from wheel-thrown ceramics to genetic research. With over 30 years working in ceramics, Brett is recognized for his dynamic wheel-thrown pieces that highlight natural curves, bold transitions, and creative surface treatments. His approach to ceramics is rooted in his scientific background and many years spent in the studio, both creating and teaching. Brett is a co-founder of the Marin Ceramic Cooperative in Sausalito. His art has been exhibited at places such as the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art and The Arc Gallery, and he has been honored at the Marin County Fair.
Professionally, Brett holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from UCSD and has devoted his career to developing treatments for rare childhood genetic diseases. His scientific expertise deeply influences his ceramic art, infusing his process with discipline, curiosity, and a strong appreciation for methodical work in both science and art.
He currently chairs the Festival Organizing Committee and serves on the Board of Directors for the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival, supporting emerging artists and fostering the festival’s longstanding commitment to community arts engagement.
