A somewhat unconventional ceramic history of workshops, open studios, and unofficial residencies led Clarice Allgood to Minnesota in 2018. In 2019, she graduated from NCC’s certificate program, Minnesota New Institute for Ceramic Education, and was a Fogelberg Fellow at NCC in 2020. From a free-spirited, traveling childhood, and her academic education in philosophy, come a perspective rooted in thoughtfulness and curiosity. Though Allgood’s ceramics are often grounded in practicality, they maintain a particular whimsy and environmental aesthetic.

“Twenty-three years ago, I wasn’t even aware that people made pottery. A friend asked me if I had ever been to Liz Lurie’s sales. I said ‘no, what does she make and why would I want to go?’ My friend said ‘she makes pottery and I think you would like it.’ I went. I loved her work and after two years of collecting, Liz said ‘you know Nancy, you could make pottery,’ and so I did. I started at a local ceramic center. Based on Liz’s recommendations, I began attending demos to learn techniques and develop my aesthetic. My first workshop was a summer abroad in Shigaraki, Japan through the University of Georgia (Athens). The journey just kept going.”