Troy Bungart Studios, host of stop #10 on the 2025 Michiana Pottery Tour, interviews globe-trotting guest clay artist Julie Lowry. Julie makes most of her work using clay slabs and decorates it using strong graphic design skills that would enhance minimalist, Mid-Century Modern and contemporary environments. She credits a childhood building with Legos as the foundation for her approach to pottery making and talks about her creative cycle building inventory ahead of shows like the Michiana Pottery Tour.

Troy Bungart Studios, host of stop #10 on the 2025 Michiana Pottery Tour, interviews guest clay artist Brian Westrick. Brian connects at shows with collectors who seem to enjoy a slower and more considered pace of life, who are insightful and introverted, and who appreciate pots with a reserved and quiet nature. He feels his work belongs in collections of people who appreciate Mingei, folk, rustic and Craftsman design styles. He forms his work on a non-motorized treadle wheel and textures his surfaces, finishing them with layers of glaze.

Troy Bungart Studios, host of stop #10 on the 2025 Michiana Pottery Tour, interviews AnaLuz Sainz Rodriguez, a guest potter at his tour stop this year, but also a former mentee of Troy’s as well as a NICA Board Member. AnaLuz talks about clay’s artistic versatility, the symbolism of light, positive energy, family, colorful memories and, especially, why she as a dual citizen of the US and Mexico incorporates Mexican motifs in her work.

Troy Bungart Studios, host of stop #10 on the 2025 Michiana Pottery Tour, interviews guest clay artist Hailey Piché. Hailey’s textured handbuilt forms and brightly painted patterns attract collectors to the duality of the nature of her work which she describes as “Modern, maybe Pop Art, but also Rustic” in style. She doesn’t mind the contradictory dynamic. Hailey is a self-described fidgeter who desires to make useful, beautiful things. Her vessels, like her life, are a work in progress.

Troy Bungart Studios, host of stop 10 on the 2025 Michiana Pottery Tour, interviews guest clay artist Brendon Stretton. Brendon's collectors appreciate the care and craftsmanship Brendon puts into making his mugs and consider using mugs made by Brendon to be an essential part of their daily morning routines.

Ah, Appalachia in the autumn!

A great time to visit. And it’s been too long.

So, it is with great pleasure that I invite you to join me for one of two North Carolina brushmaking workshops now accepting registration:

Penland School of Craft Fall Weekend

Stan Simmons Studio in Fayetteville

Both locations offer bamboo stands where I will discuss how to choose and harvest materials for brush handles.

s always, I will have a variety of brush fibers for brushmakers to experiment with. Handmade brushes offer a substantially more personalized experience than using mass-manufactured brushes.

If you’re interested in brushmaking and/or a road trip to beautiful North Carolina, please join me. I look forward to meeting you there!

In the Wild, a Maker Focus on Troy Bungart opens Tuesday, July 26 at Schaller Gallery. Please catch it online. It contains my most recent work.... While I’m working I am always trying to infuse my pieces with the joy I feel in making them. When I see my work up on the gallery’s website I know I’ve succeeded!