biography.
Amy Hafemann discovered the medium of clay while attending UW-Whitewater (1995-2000) and fell in love. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Graphic Design degree in 2000, she moved to Madison, Wisconsin to pursue Graphic Design full time. She continued practicing her pottery skills on nights and weekends at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison Area Technical College, and various public studio spaces in Madison (2001-2007).
She purchased her first wheel from a local art shop going out of business and set up a temporary pottery studio in the basement of her studio apartment. She now resides in Saukville, Wisconsin and continues pottery in her fully functioning home studio.
Functional, everyday, stoneware pottery is what she creates. "I try my best to keep my processes and choices simple so that everyone could afford a piece of handmade art." Recently moving out of a series of several years of working with brightly-colored glazes, she is exploring earth-toned glazing and patterning on clay. “I love the practical nature clay brings – it is so forgiving and pliable and impressionable. I can push and pull it in any direction I choose and make anything I want to. It is cool, wet, and messy."
She still spends her day as a full time Graphic Designer and nights and weekends as an Artist. In winter you can find her hiding in her studio, spring time in the gardens, and summer and fall camping and selling at art fairs in Washington, Milwaukee, and Ozaukee counties.
She purchased her first wheel from a local art shop going out of business and set up a temporary pottery studio in the basement of her studio apartment. She now resides in Saukville, Wisconsin and continues pottery in her fully functioning home studio.
Functional, everyday, stoneware pottery is what she creates. "I try my best to keep my processes and choices simple so that everyone could afford a piece of handmade art." Recently moving out of a series of several years of working with brightly-colored glazes, she is exploring earth-toned glazing and patterning on clay. “I love the practical nature clay brings – it is so forgiving and pliable and impressionable. I can push and pull it in any direction I choose and make anything I want to. It is cool, wet, and messy."
She still spends her day as a full time Graphic Designer and nights and weekends as an Artist. In winter you can find her hiding in her studio, spring time in the gardens, and summer and fall camping and selling at art fairs in Washington, Milwaukee, and Ozaukee counties.
artist statement.
I am a passionate, obsessive creator! “I make because I must.” Clay is a medium that fits my very practical and messy nature while the process fills my need to be efficient and procees-oriented. Clay is movable, forgiving, messy, adaptable, and from the earth. I am inspired by the colors and textures in my life, the spirit of simplicity and practicalities. Seeing each piece come out of the kiln, doused in a rich, layered glaze speaks to me in a way that nothing else does. I care deeply about creating functional work and think everyone deserves a beautiful piece of pottery.
I design everyday, functional items for the kitchen, bath, and garden. I make it for you so you can use it.
I spend my winters creating and summers selling. Come visit me at one of the many art festivals I attend in the Cedarburg and Milwaukee areas.
colleagues.
gallery shows.
Annual Juried Exhibit, Cedarburg Artists Guild, August 30 –October 14, 2018
Bubble Bowl, Stoneware, Glaze, Underglaze, 2018
Main Street Gallery, Road Less Traveled, August 1 – September 23, 2018
Lidded Jar I and II, Stoneware, Glaze, 2018
Gallery of Wisconsin Art, Dynamic Duo, July 7 – September 1, 2018
Garlic Jar, Stoneware, Glaze Pencil, Glaze, 2018
Cup, Stoneware, 2018
Cedarburg Artists Guild, Annual Juried Exhibit, August 30 – October 14, 2018
Bubble Bowl, Stoneware, Underglaze, Glaze, 2018
Main Street Gallery, Misty Encounter, April 18 – Sunday, May 27, 2018
Tri-Pod Cups, Stoneware, Underglaze, Glaze, 2018
Museum of Wisconsin Art, Cedarburg Artists Guild, January 31–March 29, 2015
Salt N Pepper Jars, Stoneware, Glaze, 2015
Museum of Wisconsin Art, MOWA Members' Show, November 18, 2017–January 7, 2018
Hot Dog Mania, Stoneware, Glaze, 2017
Bubble Bowl, Stoneware, Glaze, Underglaze, 2018
Main Street Gallery, Road Less Traveled, August 1 – September 23, 2018
Lidded Jar I and II, Stoneware, Glaze, 2018
Gallery of Wisconsin Art, Dynamic Duo, July 7 – September 1, 2018
Garlic Jar, Stoneware, Glaze Pencil, Glaze, 2018
Cup, Stoneware, 2018
Cedarburg Artists Guild, Annual Juried Exhibit, August 30 – October 14, 2018
Bubble Bowl, Stoneware, Underglaze, Glaze, 2018
Main Street Gallery, Misty Encounter, April 18 – Sunday, May 27, 2018
Tri-Pod Cups, Stoneware, Underglaze, Glaze, 2018
Museum of Wisconsin Art, Cedarburg Artists Guild, January 31–March 29, 2015
Salt N Pepper Jars, Stoneware, Glaze, 2015
Museum of Wisconsin Art, MOWA Members' Show, November 18, 2017–January 7, 2018
Hot Dog Mania, Stoneware, Glaze, 2017