Ceramics, Culture, Community, and Friendship

Miki Shim, October 2023

When I look at the photo below from the group exhibition in Yeoju, I cannot help but to be little emotional looking back at the time spent with this group people who put their trusted in me to guide them on a 12 day tour of Korean ceramics in South Korea. I have never produced one of these before. And for some reason, they met me in Seoul for this clay journey.

Living Waters, DoBan Group Exhibition, Yeoju, South Korea, September 2023

My husband, Lance, named this tour “Miki’s Spectacular Korean Ceramics Tour!” A build-up to which I didn’t know I could deliver when I launched the registration in May. 

Looking back, we had many hurdles and detours, negotiating the twists and turns of coordinating many moving parts, some expected and some completely blind-sided.

But, through it all, it was spectacular!

Back Story:
At the end of summer 2022, Lance and I traveled to Korea to visit family and friends. Lance’s first trip and, while this is a return trip for me, first time with a ceramics focus. With a little help from friends, I was able to see, visit and experience the heart and soul of Korean Ceramics first hand. See their work, processes, the life and the business of pottery.

When I returned home, I wanted to find a way to share this with others. Instagram photos and posts only skim the surface of the real experience. Setting up a tour was not the first thing that came to mind. The logistics of moving with a group more than 4 seemed a bit crazy!

After brewing the thought for a few months, I decided to gamble with crazy and started the planning process by floating the idea with Lance, recruited an assistant and lined up a few artists in Korea. First registration arrived within day of launching the announcement on Instagram in April, and sold out 15 seats by May. By June, 16 people plus me and my irreplaceable assistant and friend, Kyungle Han, are confirmed to hang with me in Korea for
12 days, starting on the last day of August.


The numbers:
3 hotels for 12 nights in 6 cities on 6 tour buses for 18 people eating 36 meals taking 12 local city bus and transit rides to see 2 demos and 3 workshops by 8 local artists and topped it off with a 10 artist group exhibition in Yeoju. Not counting the taxi rides, the thousands of steps logged and cups of coffee at Cafe Galapium in Ulsan.

The people:
Some were 20 year veterans of ceramics, some just had 6 months of experience. A Raku artist, 3 woodfire artists, a writer, a sculptor, a ceramics tool manufacturer, architect, software engineer, moms, in-the-middle-of-a-career-change professional, a mechanical engineer, studio owner, doctor, tea master, a National Intangible Cultural Asset or 3, product engineer, x-ray technition, ER nurse, a business coach and a few ceramics instructors. All connected by clay.

Behind the scenes:
Negociating the ever changing landscape of last minute location changes, transportation logistics and meal planning were the hardest to navigate. Luckily, I had a fluent speaker to help me make the phone calls for reservations, argue the charges and figure out how to pay the large sums of money the bus company wanted…in cash. But I had the good fortune of an amazing group of people who were ready to move with the changing current of waters that, to me, seemed like the rapids. The full itinerary has been posted on my website: mikisr.com, so I will not go into the details of our tour, except to mention that we changed the venue of the woodfire workshop at the last minute due to a family emergency. 

Cultural exchange:
Since moving to the SF Bay Area in 2012, I have broadened my network of ceramic artists around the world though personal experiences. This has allowed me the opportunity to create a cultural exchange program connecting the local ceramics community to the ceramics around the world to inspire, provoke thought and to make friendships. I have found that clay language is universal. 

Our tour group met for time in Seoul, at the hotel’s lounge for a breakfast buffet of Korean and western style foods. It’s always interesting what ends up on the plates and how the flavors get mixed intentionally, or not. We sat 4 to a table, getting to know eachother a little, trying to memorize the names and faces with whom we will be spending the next 12 days. 

Fast forward the end of the trip, to 18 Californians and one Michigonian standing on the steps at Seoul Station, trying to hold back tears, arms flying to make sure everyone gets a hug, and promise of a reunion event of Miki’s Spectacular Korean Ceramics Tour 2023 very soon. This is a rerun activity of when we parted from MoonDoBang, DoBan artists of the Yeoju exhibition, and woodfire team of artistis: Kim JaeBum, Kim InTae, Kim YoungSoo and Shin YoungTaek. 

In a brief amount of time, we have made life long friendships.

I’m looking forward to the next one… September 2024?

Korean Artist Studio Visit, Demo and Workshop
Kim Yikyoung Ceramics, Porcelain, Seoul
MoonDoBang, Porcelain, Bundang @moondobang
Ohbuja Pottery, Onggi, Yeoju @heejunonggi
Kwak Kyungtae, Onggi, Icheon @kwakkyungtae
Shin YoungTaek, Buncheong, GeoChang @youngtaek_shin
Kim YoungSoo, Naked Raku, Yeoju @young.soo.kim
Kim InTae, Educator, Woodfired Stoneware, Ulsan
Kim JaeBeom, Woodfired Stoneware, Ulsan @firewood_gama.jaun

Cities Visited
Seoul
Icheon
Yeoju
Bundang
Ulsan
Busan

Summer to Fall ...

In April this year, I launched Korean Ceramics Tour, hoping to have enough people interested in exploring my world of ceramics in Korea. Within two weeks, I had enough registered to cover basic costs.

With the trip only a week away, I am excited and nervous at the same time. Excited for everyone to meet my friends, learn about Korean ceramics and culture. Nervous just because it’s my first time!

My schedule is packed with all the stops and activities, but realizing there is so much more to see and do, I wish I had more time. So it leaves me with the idea that I must return with another trip! Haha!

After the trip to Korea, I will be in Aomori, Japan for a woodfire workshop/residency for three weeks. An invitation by Lee Middleman I couldn’t refuse! This will be my first time in Japan, limited travel/tour opportunity, but so long as there is clay and fire to play with, I’m in!

Both of these trips will be documented on Instagram: @mikisr_ceramics. Hope you will follow along.

I hope everyone enjoy the rest of the Summer! It’s been a hot one!

When I return, there will be classes to teach, workshops to teach and even more exciting adventures to plan!

Looking ahead to new adventures.

This year will close with many new experiences. While some have concluded and many more still to come, this moment of reflection has me thankful for the love and support of my husband, family and friends.

“You can do it!”

Late Spring and Summer, plus Fall!

Here in the SF Bay Area, California, Spring is lingering… almost like Winter is clingy! We are in the 60’s and lower at night, the heater is still running and sun makes an occasional peek through. While I still complain about the cloudy and wet days, it’s a welcome sign for the California drought.

Looking to take a class with me?

Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto: Summer registration has already started for Palo Alto residents for Palo Alto Art Center ceramics programming. For non-residents, registration opens Thursday, May 11. Hoping you are able to get yourself a spot in my class on Monday nights for Intermediate Wheel projects class and on Tuesday mornings for Introduction to Ceramics where we cover everything from pinch pots to a few weeks on the wheel!

Clayroom SF, San Francisco: First class for current session starts Tuesday, May 9th. Next session registration opens in a couple of weeks for 6-week session on Tuesdays that start Tuesday, June 20-August 1 (no class on Tuesday, July 4)

South Bay Ceramics, Mountain View: New session will start on Wednesday, May 15th for afternoon and evening intermediate wheel classes. Just a few spots left for the afternoon class, but evening classes are sold out. Next session will start June 23, for both afternoon and evening classes. Registration will open in a few weeks.

Wilson Park Ceramics, Cupertino: A new session just started! Next session for Intermediate Wheel on Thursday evenings 6:30-8:30 starts July 20-24. registration is open.

Extras!

Wine Country Teapot Workshop and Wine Tasting $325
Saturday, June 24, 2023, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. All levels, Meals and materials included.
Participants will use hand-building techniques to design and construct functional and decorative teapots with me on this one-day workshop followed by a wood-fired pizza and wine tasting event hosted by Quail Run Wines. Make it a weekend event by reserving a dinner concept Dish featuring ceramics by Kala Stein pared with food prepared by chefs Fiorella Butron and Miller McRae.

30th Annual ACGA Clay and Glass Festival in Palo Alto
Saturday and Sunday, July 15-16, 2023, 1313 Newell Road, Palo Alto.
Over 100 California clay and glass artists will be participating this Summer!
Lance and I will be featuring new collaborative work as well as a new series of my work. Make sure to plan a full weekend, it’s not easy to see 100 artists! You can find me near the tree groves along the Embarcadero and Newell Corner.

Ceramics Tour : 12 days in Korea $3500
August 31 - September 12, 2023, includes meals, lodging, tours and workshops.
Participants will tour ceramics related visits to sites and museums in Seoul and Busan, visit artist studios and, throw porcelain with Moon Do Bang, fire a wood kiln with Shin Young Taek and make naked Raku with Kim Young Soo. Fees do not include airfare to Korea. See details.


Well, that’s all I’ve got… I’m sure there will be a few more events to post for November and December for the holiday shopping needs. In the mean time, enjoy Summer and Fall!

Visiting Artist : MoonDoBang : US Tour

Moon throwing large bowl.

Moon Jar

Stacking bowls with lid

Facetted series

Instagram sensation, MoonDoBang creator Mr. Moon, Byung Sik, will make his first visit to the US with a tour of California and a stopover in Helena, Montana.

At the age of 16, Moon Byung Sik fell in love with clay. He had passion, but the skills didn’t come easily. It took him 10 times longer to finish a pot than some of his peers, but with perseverance and practice, he began to win skills competitions.

Post college, at 26, Moon started a studio practice inside his father’s barn with the idea that he would make pots he likes to make and—he reasoned—people would buy them. He soon discovered that what he wanted to make was not what customers wanted to buy. Competing for buyers with other potters who had 20, 30, or 40 years of experience was challenging.

As he reflects on his path today, starting at a young age was his best decision. He made mistakes and had failures due to his lack of experience, but he says that he was able to put aside his failures more easily and continue moving forward because he had less to lose.

17 years after he first sat at a pottery wheel, Moon operates a professional workshop where he produces his porcelain products and sells them from his gallery and shop in Yeoju, South Korea. He ships worldwide from his website www.moondobang.com Follow him on Instagram @moondobang

MoonDoBang: US Tour: How it all started

In November 2022, I had a chance to take a virtual pottery class with the Korean artist, Moon Byung Sik of MoonDoBang, hosted by Kala Stein. I casually mentioned that I would like to host a workshop for him in San Francisco. 

Start: November 2022

Kala Stein and Joanne Lee, host and translator for Moon for the virtual workshop, set up a meeting to explore the possibility of Moon visiting the US, more specifically San Francisco and the Bay Area. He agreed to 10 days, which grew to 14 days. Then we decided to visit his friend, Adam Field in Helena, Montana,… who mentioned that he had contacts in LA and that if we were to extend and expand the tour, wouldn’t that be wonderful? 

Plan: MoonDoBang US Tour: 2023

By mid December, I had commitments from 11 venues and most days were filled, with workshops scheduled from Petaluma down to San Diego, and Helena, Montana. Round-trip air from Seoul, Korea was purchased.

By the second week in January, scheduling was completed for Moon on his first visit to the US with a 24-day, 14-venue, 13-city, 2-state, west coast tour that includes demos, workshops, and an Instagram live feed.

In February, the last venue committed and a brainstorm led to the Virtual Demo with Moon and Adam Field from Helena, Montana, to be hosted by Kala Stein.

Show Time: MoonDoBang US Tour: 2023 

Moon lands in 6 days. 10 boxes of MoonDoBang porcelain pots have arrived. 150 Posters have been printed. 100 T-shirts have been ordered. His room is made.

Most venues have sold out all the seats, some within 5 minutes of opening registration publicly—some selling out only to members. Success can be attributed to Moon’s 97K Instagram followers, help from Adam Field with his 117K followers and mailing list, and the Instagram following of the 15 participating venues. Yes, the power of social media can be measured.

If you haven’t reserved seats yet, try Laney College: https://laney.edu/art/

Additional information is on the tour page on my website, mikisr.com: http://www.mikisr.com/moondobangtour, 

Registration for the Virtual Demo with Adam Field is open. Registration can be found at KalaStein.com:  https://kalastein.thinkific.com/

When asked about what he would like to see and do while on his first visit to the US, he said, “eat a hot dog, see the Golden Gate Bridge, and go to a baseball game.” We have tickets to the Oakland A’s opener on March 30th, where Shohei Ohtani will be starting for the Angels. Kala is hosting a dinner and hot dogs are on the menu. And I’m sure we will cross the Golden Gate Bridge at least once.

Follow me on Instagram for more stories. @mikisr_ceramics

Happy New Year

Lance and I visited Korea for an 18-day grand tour; travel photo journal by Lance on Facebook if you are interested! Visited 7 cities and numerous museums and ceramics artists! Thanks to friends and family, we were housed, chauffeured, fed, and drunk for most of our trip. One miss was that I didn’t touch any local clay! Can anyone imagine that? Most of the trip was ceramics artist visits! Well, I guess we need to go back again… stay tuned. I’m cooking up something (Korean Mangdengigama Workshop). Wanna go with me?

I will be teaching a development training for teachers on Sunday, January 29, 3-5 pm… a fancy way of saying I am teaching teachers to teach. More info at South Bay Ceramics.

I’ve also added a Private Pottery Lesson back on the shopping list. In-person or virtual, in my home studio or yours (within 25 miles from my home). First-timers to mentorship.

New learning opportunity for Korean speakers! Silicon Valley Korean School has invited me to host a beginner hand-building ceramics class at their Homestead location on Thursdays in February as a pilot program. It is full with a waitlist. Will update you when we start actual programming after April

Moon Do Bang : US Tour will be a whirlwind of activity in 10 cities and 14 venues reaching over 900 in-person attendees in 24 days.

Lance and I have started our own line of ceramics, as well as Binding Birds in our 3rd series. We will be showing at the ACGA Clay & Glass Festival 2023 in Palo Alto with a double booth. Be sure to stop by. July 15-16, 2023

Pitfire and Yoga Retreat was a great success in December with a minor rain delay. Unfortunately, January had to be canceled due to the weather being uncooperative. We will redevelop this program and schedule one soon. Thanks to Jen Lo Yoga for the inspiration and collaboration!

I am continuing to teach at Palo Alto Art Center, ClayroomSF, South Bay Ceramics, and Wilson Park Ceramics. Each of these locations generally sells out its seats as soon as they open registration, so mark your calendars and get your register button ready… See you in class!

Filoli Art Walk and Fall Class update

Filoli Summer Art Walk : Orchard Valley Ceramic Arts Guild
July 30 & 31, 10:00am - 5:00 pm
Last summer show for me as I join Orchard Valley Ceramic Arts Guild at the Filoli Art Walk. This event showcases hand-picked local artists selling their work throughout Filoli’s spacious 16-acre Garden. Stroll the beautiful Garden while browsing original paintings, ceramics, jewelry, and more.
Filoli, 86 Canada Rd., Woodside, CA

Wheel thrown teapot with driftwood and colored cane handle. Stoneware, Cone 10 Reduction.

Wheel thrown teapot with driftwood and cane handle. Stoneware, Cone 10 reduction.

Fall Class Schedule

Mid-August, I will be trekking to all parts of South Korea. Mostly eating I think!
When I return, I will be hitting the wheel with classes at Palo Alto Art Center, South Bay Ceramics, Clayroom SF and Wilson Park Ceramics. Please see below for dates and visit their website for registration information. Fall registration will start mid-August or early September so check with each studio for sign-up dates.

Palo Alto Art Center : Introduction to Ceramics, Tuesdays, 10am-1pm, 9/13-11/15
This 10-week course is designed for those with little to no experience but open to all levels. Class participants will gain clay knowledge, construction techniques, and best practices in working with clay. Step-by-step style instruction will cover hand-building projects, introduction to throwing on the potter’s wheel and cover various glazing techniques.
Registration opens 08/25 for residents, 09/01 for non-residents.
Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Rd. Palo Alto, CA

Clayroom SF-SoMa : Intermediate Wheel, Tuesdays, 5:45-8:15, 9/20-10/25
6-week wheel course is designed for those who are already acclimated with wheel throwing and want to further their skills. Class projects will include functional and decorative vessels that include measuring, collaring, throwing off the hump, and altered forms. Prior wheel sessions are required, students should be able to center and throw even wall with confidence.
Clayroom SoMa, 375 9th St. San Francisco, CA

South Bay Ceramics: Intermediate Wheel, Wednesdays, 1:45-4:15pm and 6:15-8:45pm, 9/12-10/23
A six-week course dedicated to growing students’ confidence on the wheel in a warm, supportive and relaxing environment. We’ll focus on form, size and function, and challenge ourselves by practicing bigger forms, lidded jars and more. Students must have previous wheel-throwing experience, and feel comfortable centering 2 pounds of clay, to register.
Projects include learning how to add shape and texture to cylinders, throwing off the hump/mound, throwing larger, making lidded jars and teapots, and more! Due to variance in students' skill levels, each class is individual and the techniques taught will vary.
South Bay Ceramics, 1954 Old Middlefield Way, Ste 1, Mountain View, CA

Wilson Park Ceramics : Intermediate Wheel, Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm, 9/14-
For Potters who are comfortable with successfully centering and throwing basic forms. Using those foundations we will be exploring different forms and functional pottery pieces.
Wilson Park Ceramics, 10298 South Portal Ave., Cupertino, CA


Have a great Summer and see you in class!

Palo Alto Clay and Glass Festival 2022

I will be showing new work at the ACGA Clay & Glass Festival in Palo Alto again this year.
NEW DATES: Saturday & Sunday, July 9-10, 2022. 10am - 5pm

Image of artworks by Miki Shim and Lance Rutter with teapots and vases for the Palo Alto Clay and Glass Festival 2022

Image of artworks by Miki Shim and Lance Rutter with teapots, bowls and vases for the ACGA Clay and Glass Festival in Palo Alto, 2022.

Register for Winter Sessions

Fall sessions are coming to a close and the Winter session that starts in January 2022 is in the works.
So far, schedule that have been confirmed are below with registration date coming up.

Some registration information and dates are still in the works, so please come back to check. I will post links as they become available.

Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto
Intermediate Hand-building : 8 Mondays : 12:00 - 3:00 pm : January 24 - March 14
Intermediate Wheel : 8 Mondays : 6:00 - 9:00 pm : January 24 - March 14
Registration opens 12/2 Residents / 12/9 Non-Resident
Register

Wilson Park Ceramics, Cupertino
Intermediate Wheel : 6 Thursdays : 6:00 - 8:00 pm : Nov 4, - Dec 16, 2021 (holiday exceptions)
Intermediate Wheel : 6 Thursdays : 6:00 - 8:00 pm : January 6, - February 10, 2022 (Registration open soon)

Clayroom SF - SOMA location
Next Wheel : 6 Tuesdays : 6:30 - 9:00 pm : Dates to be announced

South Bay Ceramics, Mountain View
More information and schedule to come

Take a stroll and shop at Filoli Orchard Days September 25-26

ACGA Clay and Glass Festival came and went in a whirlwind!

I want to thank everyone who stopped by to say hello and also shop in my booth along with. 93 other clay and glass artists and community supporters like CERF and Orchard Valley Ceramic Arts Guild. Attendance was more than expected and possibly the best in the 6 years of my participation. I have heard from some artists and they feel it was the best show out of their 30 years of participation!

This was a long awaited opportunity for the artists to show and sell their work with inventory that had accumulated over the past two years. I got a chance to quickly walk through and visit many of the artists and the work was amazing! I hope other artists also experienced the same excitement, energy and success as I have experienced this year.

Next up:
I will be participating in the Filoli Orchard Days with Orchard Valley Ceramic Arts Guild (OVCAG) September 25-26 at Filoli, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, CA 94062

This is a group presentation of ceramic art for sale along side many other fine and craft artists in the Orchard at Filoli.

Hope you can stop by and say hi and shop some more!
Click on the image below for more information on their website: www.filoli.com

Ready to take a class with me?

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Fall class registration has started!

I am teaching intermediate ceramics classes this fall in Palo Alto, Cupertino and in SF!

These classes will focus on taking your clay practice to the next level. You will receive hands-on instruction to develop individualized expression of form and design, fine-tune your skills and expand your knowledge of ceramics process. Projects will include functional and decorative vessels hand-built or thrown on the wheel and include altered forms to combine elements and techniques to develop your unique voice.

Independent projects ideas are welcomed and you will receive individual instruction and guidance as needed.

Have a question? Email: mikisr.mail@gmail.com

Find the class and location listings below and follow the link and activity code to register. See you in class!

Cupertino
Wilson Park Ceramics : www.wilsonparkceramics.com
10298 South Portal Ave., Cupertino

Intermediate Wheel - 15117
Thursdays, 10:30am-12:30am. 6-week session. September 9-October 28
https://apm.activecommunities.com/cupertino/Activity_Search/intermediate-wheel/10119
Activity Code:15117

Wilson Park Ceramics : Cupertino : Intermediate Wheel - 15121
Thursdays, 6-8pm. 6-week session. September 9-October 28
https://apm.activecommunities.com/cupertino/Activity_Search/intermediate-wheel/10123
Activity Code:15121

Palo Alto
Palo Alto Art Center Adult Studios
1313 Newell Rd., Palo Alto

Intermediate Hand-building Projects with Miki
Mondays, 10am-1pm. 8-week session. September 20-Nov.15
https://secure.rec1.com/CA/palo-alto-ca/catalog
Activity Code: 27806

Palo Alto Art Center Adult Studios : Palo Alto : Intermediate Wheel Projects with Miki
Mondays, 6-9pm. 8-week session. September 20-Nov.15
https://secure.rec1.com/CA/palo-alto-ca/catalog
Activity Code: 27805

San Francisco
ClayroomSF/SoMa : www.clayroomsr.com
9th Street, San Francisco, CA

Next Step Wheel
Tuesdays, 6:30-9pm, 6-week session. Sept 28-November 2
https://www.clayroomsf.com/classes

Intermediate Clay
Wednesdays, 6:30-9pm, 6-week session. Sept 29-November 3
https://www.clayroomsf.com/classes

The Main Gallery : MOMENTS

I have been a new member at The Main Gallery in Menlo Park, CA., a coop gallery run by artists.

In recent weeks, there have been added interest and traffic into the gallery which is due to the relief of covid restrictions in public and outdoor spaces, mask and capacity limits too. The gallery has also lifted its mask policy to those who self-claim vaccination status.

This week, a new exhibition has been installed and preview photos look amazing. Looking forward to seeing more people getting outside and strolling downtown Menlo Park!

Gallery Hours: Tuesdays - Sundays, 11:00 am — 5:00 pm
www.themaingallery.org @themaingallery

 

Get ready to shop for the holidays!

PAAC Adult Studios Virtual Holiday Sale
November 30 - December 6, 2020

I will be one of 39 artists participating in this year's Palo Alto Art Center Adult Studios Virtual Holiday Sale... and you can shop from the safety and comfort of your home! 50% to 100% of the proceeds are donated to the Art Center to support adult studios jewelry, ceramics, and drawing/painting studios programming.

Shop to support local artists.
Shop to support community arts program at Palo Alto Art Center.
Shop for a good cause!

https://www.PAACFshop.org

Purchases will be available for pickup at the Art Center Main Lobby during curbside pickup hours posted on the website.
Sorry, shipping is not available at this time.

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New Service: Private Lessons

Many community studios have closed or have limited seating and virtual ceramic session don’t provide enough personalized attention to create an open communication since experience levels vary from beginners to advanced.

Register for private sessions with me to work on specific projects or to get detailed instructions on skill you want to develop. I am offering private zoom sessions or one-on-one, in-person lessons from either my home studio or at your home studio (provided you have all the equipment necessary). Don’t have your home studio set up yet or need help getting started? We can discuss that too! Customize your 1-hour session to make a project, learn a specific skill or professional coaching or mentoring.

https://www.mikisr.com/private-lesson