Events

First Friday is a monthly art tour in downtown Santa Cruz.

Presenting Loren Lukens: Master Potter – October & November 2025

“After almost fifty years as a full-time professional potter in Santa Fe, NM and Seattle WA, I am now reinventing my ceramic life after moving to Merced, CA. Switching from cone 10 reduction fired slip caste work to an all-electric, thrown and hand-built studio practice presents challenges that are both terrifying and invigorating.”
“My new process uses cone 6 porcelaneous stoneware with multiple brushed colored slips and underglazes. Bisque firing yields a durable surface for linear squeezed and dotted glaze color with a clear glaze over it all.”

“Or multiple textured glazes sprayed over line decoration.”

“Or a crawling white glaze over black slip with color additions.”

“The human psyche recognizes and identifies environmental landscape orientation unconsciously and I use this phenomenon when creating my surface design. Even with highly abstracted formats, there is no doubt which way is up. Painting on a three dimensional piece is challenging and rewarding.”

“This show is structured for wall display, although the hanging platters and bowls can function on a table or shelf. My work has never strayed too far from function. Contrary to Art Orthodoxy, I view function as a higher calling… Art for everyday living is Art where it matters most.”

IG: @lorenlukens, website: www.lorenlukens.com

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED

UPCOMING 2025 SHOWS

Randie Silverstein Glass