After months of uncertainty and change, the new normal has become a reality. My time at Reitz Ranch Center for Ceramic Arts has come to an end. It's still hard to believe that ten years ago to the month, I moved from Iowa to Arizona to work with my mentor, Don Reitz. My position evolved from Don's studio assistant to the Ranch's studio manager, and finally as Education Director. These last few months have been unexpected and difficult, to say the least.
However, as one door closes (sometimes quickly due to a pandemic), another opens. My hope is that the Ranch will someday reopen for future generations to come. Until then, my focus is shifting to my own studio. While the Reitz Ranch has been shut down due to the coronavirus, I've had time to set up my studio and begin to make new work.
Read moreI was asked by my family to create an urn for my grandfather who passed away on April 6, 2020. I always told my grandparents that I would make these objects for them without much additional thought. After my grandfather’s passing, and a gentle reminder from my grandmother, I started to think about what this object would look like. I started to think about the importance of this object and what my grandfather meant to me. Someone who would always listen, who always cared more about what was going on in my life, who always had advice for the difficult questions and times. I never realized how much importance the jar form could have. It’s an honor to create such an object and it’s an honor to have had such a wonderful man as my grandfather. Thank you Grandpa Russ.
Read moreIt’s hard to believe it has been over a year since my last update to my website. As everyone can tell, it’s been pushed off for a little too long. LOTS has happened since I previously updated my blog, I’ve gone through another school year teaching for Yavapai College. I started teaching on the Clarkdale campus this last Spring Semester. My family and I bought a house in Camp Verde, Arizona this last month. However, with all of the changes over the past year the largest was accepting a position as the Education and Programming Director at the Reitz Ranch! I’m over-the-moon with the opportunity to work full-time again at the Ranch.
Read moreI've thrown my hat into the ring this year, I'm excited to see what Brett Kern selects for the show. I've seen a few posts online from other artists and their submissions, and Brett really has his work cut out for him. Lots of really fantastic entries, I'm sure its going to be a top knotch show!
Read moreBen Roti’s “re[VOL]ve” opens at Gallery 527 in Jerome during First Saturday Art Walk on February 3 from 5 – 8 p.m. Roti will feature new contemporary ceramic work constructed and altered on the pottery wheel. The collection of turned objects includes a variety of cups, bowls, jars, and platters. Vibrant glazes and slips are used to create a rich, weathered surface on the wheel-thrown utilitarian objects.
Read moreJANUARY 19, 2018 OPENING RECEPTION 5 - 7 PM
EXHIBIT JANUARY 19- FEBRUARY 9, 2018
For years, Don Reitz lived and worked in Clarkdale quietly creating masterpieces at the Ranch. Few in the Verde Valley were aware of the place and the magical activities afoot there. Reitz is considered one of the fathers of modern ceramics, an artist who expanded the medium beyond functional tableware to immense, provocative works of abstract art. His work is in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, and many others.
Over the years, many assistants came to the Reitz Ranch from out of state to apprentice with...
Read moreIt's been a while since I've updated this blog, partly because it's been so incredibly busy. We finished the Reitzagama back in November and unloaded the kiln on December 10. There was a great turnout for the unloading, and the kiln did not disappoint. I walked away with a few excellent pieces. It definitely has me excited to fire another woodkiln again soon!
I'll be uploading images of the events below. Stay Tuned!
Read moreHappy Birthday, Partner. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. Here are a few images of my time out at the ranch.
Read moreI'm excited to share that I am having a show in Show Low, AZ at the Talon Gallery of the Northland Pioneer College. I will have several of my sculptures on display from October 30 - December 1, 2017. I will also be giving an artist demonstration and artist talk in the Aspen Center, Room 104 and 110, Monday, October 30 from 4-8pm.
Read moreCoconino Community College is hosting Marshall Maude's artist demonstration Friday, November 3, 2017 on its Lone Tree Campus, Room #534. Lunch will be provided by CCC Clay Club.
Marshall Maude is a ceramic artist and Associate Professor of Ceramics at the University of Kansas. Marshall has designed, built, and fired wood kilns around the world. He has exhibited his work in solo and group shows nationally and in China, Denmark, Korea, and New Zealand. In 2013, Marshall was an artist-in-residence at the Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute in Jingdezhen, China, and in 2014, at Guldagergaard – International Ceramic Research Center in Denmark.
Read moreI'm so excited to have been working with Magda Gluszek and Yavapai College Verde Art Gallery where we will be hosting a FREE ceramic artist demonstration on Friday, October 20, 2017, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Come join Magda Gluszek in the gallery where she will be demoing her approach to building solid figures in clay. Gluszek will be sharing her methods for creating expressive details such as hands, feet, and eyes. Again this event is FREE and open to the public an Opening Reception of her show Insides Out will follow that evening. Please share and help spread the word.
Read moreIt's been a little over 3 years since Don Reitz passed away and left behind his wonderful studio out in Sycamore Canyon in Clarkdale, AZ. I spent over 4 years growing up out in the desert. It seems just like yesterday I was waking up to the cows and horses brushing up against my trailer, however, time has passed and there is a start of something new. Don often spoke, in his remain years, of what the property could be. He talked of having artists from all disciplines come and use the property to further their creative energy.
Read moreEvery spring, Arizona State University’s Ceramics Research Center sponsors a self-guided tour of AZ ceramic artists in the Phoenix metro area. Artists who are not local to Phoenix are hosted by someone who has their home studio in the area. This will be my first year as a participating artist, and I will be hosted by Tiffany Bailey alongside fellow artists Magda Gluszek and Jason Bohnert. All four of us will be demonstrating ceramic techniques on both days of the tour.
Come check us out at Studio 9 on the map (37 E. 14th St. Tempe, AZ)
Read moreWOW, such an incredible week. As I return to Arizona from NCECA, Facebook reminded me that it has been 2 years since my mentor Don Reitz has passed. While I was at the conference I was able to reconnect with so many great friends and meet just as many new ones! I feel so fortunate to have worked with Don at the ranch and am astonished with the doors he continues to open for me. Today I'm left thinking about something Don once told me, "It doesn't get any easier, it just gets different". I can honestly say that it's sure a hell of a lot different buddy, but I wouldn't change a thing. Thank you Don, love you and miss you.
Read moreI'm excited to be a co-featured artist with Ben Craigie at SoSoba and The Commerce in Flagstaff, Arizona. Be sure to check it out for first Friday, or stop by have some great food and maybe a few cocktails.
#benlaugh at SoSoBa and The Commerce.
Join us for First Friday Artwalk this Friday February 5th for a very special art installation by Benjamin Craigie and Bennett Roti.
Read moreIt's that time of year once again, I will be exhibiting my artwork along with several other fantastic artists from the surrounding Clarkdale area. I'm looking forward to the Gala opening as always, and can't wait to share my new works with everyone.
Read moreCottonwood AZ (October 29, 2015) – Made In Clarkdale’s new art in public places program,Artists of the Moment, will be featuring three Made In Clarkdale artists at the Old Town Center for the Arts on November 7th. The featured artists are Edward Krish, Ben Roti and Ramona Stites.
Read moreThis week I was invited by my friend Natasha Hovey to participate in the 2015 Empty Bowls Ceramic Show & Sale at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at MSU. I was thrilled to be asked to participate and join several other artists in this great cause! If your interested in seeing more of Natasha's work please click the button below.
Read moreI'm very excited to have been accepted into the Starbrick Clay National Cup Show of 2015! My piece was one of 50 cups that was chosen from 160 cup entries! I'm so honored to be in a show with two of my past professors and several friends in the ceramic field. Can't wait to see the whole show with everyone's entries.
Read moreI'm very excited to be apart of The Almighty Cup Show in Fabius, NY at the Gandee Gallery. Three of my cups were selected for the show. They had over 300 cup entires submitted and selected only 90! Looking forward to seeing the other cups in the show.
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