Every fall, a group of ceramic artists known as “Twenty Dirty Hands” hosts a self-guided pottery tour across the Tri-State area. With locations marked with a triangle of yellow work gloves, these artists open their doors to offer tour goers the chance to visit their studio, buy local pottery, and maybe even learn something new. Likewise on Thursday, Feb. 29, Nohr Gallery will open its doors to the Twenty Dirty Hands artists and the community during the opening reception of the Twenty Dirty Hands Exhibition from 5-6:30 p.m.
The Twenty Dirty Hands Exhibition offers a rare opportunity where the members of the Twenty Dirty Hands group can exhibit their artwork collectively. Within this exhibit, 11 of the Twenty Dirty Hands artists will not only showcase their pottery, but also a variety of other ceramic works such as decorative plates, dishes, vases, tiny houses, and even a ceramic bird sculpture. A majority of this artwork will also be for sale.
Among the exhibiting artists will be Scott Steder, a UW-Platteville Art lecturer with the Department of Performing and Visual Arts and a 2023 inductee into Twenty Dirty Hands. For him, the Twenty Dirty Hands artists offered him support and mentorship which inspired him to pursue ceramics further.
“I met a few members of Twenty Dirty Hands, including Gary Carstens and Ken Bichell, back in 2008 while firing at the Menominee, Illinois wood/salt kiln,” said Steder. “This kiln was built by Ken. I was a student at Harper Community College and absolutely fell in love with the process. I always looked up to them and still regard Ken as a mentor.”
The public is welcome to come and be inspired by over 45 artworks within the Twenty Dirty Hands Exhibition on display in Nohr Gallery. The Nohr Gallery is located on the lower level of Ullsvik Hall on the UW-Platteville main campus. The exhibition is free and open for public viewing most weekdays from 10 a.m.‒4 p.m. Feb. 29 through April 5, 2024.