Mission
UAC is a collective where artists of all levels, from beginning students to professional artists, can learn, grow, collaborate, and contribute to our local community. Urban Art Co-op lowers barriers to participation in the arts, and the regular practice thereof. We offer support to artists of all levels through art education, arts events, studio space, and services.
History
Urban Art Co-op was born as an idea in the winter of 2014. Six potters (John and Sue Newman, Autumn Bunton, Jo Dee Moody, Nick Lowe and Karen Mannino) were all members of Spokane Potters Guild at that time. Dissatisfied with the mission of the Guild, the six founders met just before Christmas at Casa De Oro to brainstorm the kind of community studio they would like to work in. The founders met every week, and worked every spare hour for the next three months, to make that dream a reality. We opened the co-op doors for a mug sale in March of 2015.
A few months later we hauled about 300 bowls to Manito Park for our first Scoops and Bowls event. We sold almost every piece we brought. We felt like we were on top of the world.
At the next board meeting, we started planning a Holiday Market that would be for the artists in our community to show their best work.
Three shows, plus classes and workshops in our first year got us jump started. We were amazed by how quickly our community grew. When our two-year lease was up at our first location, we moved a few blocks up the street to the building we are currently in, which is about three times bigger. Another round of remodeling and reorganizing followed. The studio is always a work in progress, as is the community. As we grow, we welcome the input of members for how to make the studio a better place to practice pottery, and a better community.
Founded by Artists
Karen Mannino:
I’ve been exploring the endless, fascinating world of clay since 2008. Before that, I did a lot of colored pencil portraits, and played at illustrating my favorite books. When UAC opens it’s doors to painters, I will be the first in line to sign up for a spot. I have a BA in Studio Art and a minor in creative writing. Not surprisingly, my art is often connected to story telling in some way. I have been making and selling mugs inspired by The Lord of the Rings for the last few years. I like the challenge of making pieces that look like they could have come from one of the cultures Tolkien created, which are so vastly different from one another. This project keeps me pushing for new techniques and skills, albeit at my very slow pace. I think I am still in a student sponge mode; absorbing ideas and advice from all the talented potters I have the honor of working beside.
Autumn Bunton:
Out of sheer boredom as a child I spent many days drawing the human form or playing with water colors to avoid having to read for entertainment on our family farm. Later I was introduced to oil painting under the supervision of my Great Grandma Delia. I continued to oil paint for about 20 years. When I had children I needed a new medium to pursue out of the home….ok, I just needed to get out of the house without kids! I signed up for a pottery class. I loved working with clay instantly. I quickly became obsessed with all the possibilities that the clay presented.
I love throwing pieces of functional ware then adorning them by carving or painting on free hand designs. Among my favorite things to create are folk art sculptures and face jugs. I love to watch each one come alive….does that sound creepy? I have found my life long passion in clay arts.
John Newman:
I have been doing pottery since high school. I love continually learning all aspects of working with the clay and after a few years I discovered that what I love most is teaching and the opportunity to learn from each of my students. They each bring a different perspective and approach to working with the clay. It is so incredible to watch someone discover their talent and learn what they can create on the wheel. I have now been teaching for over 25 years and still look forward to each class and student. One of my favorite parts of teaching is the art of Raku firing. The group effort, live fire, vibrant colors of the glazes and the instant gratification of seeing your piece completed all combine to make this one of the most enjoyable aspects of the art of pottery. Being a Dad and Grandpa, I am really looking forward to once again teaching children’s classes and watching the kids work with the clay as well as the birthday parties we will be offering.
Nick Lowe:
High tech Low tech. As a computer programmer I deal highly in the virtual world of data models and programming languages. I spend my working day pounding a keyboard, so I use pottery as a way to bring myself out of the abstract and into the physical world. I have always enjoyed creating with my hands and being part of Urban Art Co-op not only gives me that opportunity, but more importantly allows me to give back to the community and to help my friends.
Sue Newman:
My 35 years of experience with pottery is through my husband John, a very talented and creative artist and teacher. He tried to teach me to throw on the wheel and that did not go well……I soon discovered I had no talent for wheel throwing. I decided to just become a very supportive spouse, which became a challenge at times when my kitchen tools began to disappear into the pottery studio. He would look at lace tablecloths for their potential as clay texture as well as any of my clothing items that might have interesting embroidery or lace. The bonus of course is that I have beautiful art and functional pottery in my home…….so maybe a fair trade? When he and a few of his associate potters decided to start their own Co-Op I volunteered to help out and offered my services as Treasurer. It has been a great experience getting to know Nick, Autumn, JoDee and Karen (even though at times it is like herding cats!). They are fun, talented and wonderful people and artists. I look forward to many years with Urban Art Co-Op and meeting lots of other new and talented artists.