The Leach Pottery are pleased to host US based potter, Jeff as he takes up residency in the museum. Jeff will be using his long standing connection with the pottery and St Ives as his inspiration.

Artist in Residence at Work

Come and see Jeff Oestreich at work in the Leach Pottery during the following dates.

Tuesday - Saturday

15-19 November
22-26 November
29 November- 3 December
6-9 December

Free with museum admission.

(Although the Artist in Residence plans to spend most of the day in the museum they may not always be present.)

About the Artist

Jeff Oestreich is a ceramic artist who works in Minnesota. He primarily makes functional work with minimal surface decoration and usually soda fired glazes. In his own words ‘Function is at my core….never take function for granted….’ He studied at the Bemidji State University and the University of Minnesota with Warren Mackenzie. In 1969 he also apprenticed under Bernard Leach for two years.

 “My early pottery training at the Leach Pottery in the late 1960’s was heavily influenced by Japanese pottery, due to the fact that Bernard spent many years making work in Japan.  Since that experience, my work has slowly moved away from this direct influence, although there are still the underpinnings of the pottery of Japan, China and Korea in my work, that being simplicity, directness of approach. I am currently doing salt glazing which has its origins in Germany. I have one foot in Japan, one in Germany, and an interest in Art Deco architecture. All things considered, my approach is American, borrowing from as many sources that speak to me. 

I often think of a residency as an opportunity to step away from the safety and comfort of my own studio and develop a new body of work with a theme.”

My residency has three themes:
• “Honouring” in which I thank a number of people who have shaped my life.
• “Interpreting” where I will revisit the standard ware which I and other apprentices produced 50 years ago and update these forms to reflect my current obsession with art deco elements.
• “Whimsy”….. Come to the opening to experience this!

Exhibition: 75 x 75 Honour, Interpretation & Whimsy

10 December 2022 - 7 January 2023 (Shop opening times)

Museum Tour: Tuesday 6 December, 2pm - 3pm

Preview of exhibition 9 December 2022 6-8pm, Gallery Shop