RWCS Convention Hands-On Pottery Experience with Richard Spiller to Feature International Potter Aba Luostarinen

Red Wing, MN – The Red Wing Collectors Society announces today that Aba Luostarinen, a student potter from Finland, will join Richard Spiller at the 2013 Convention – Diggin’ Red Wing slated for July 11-13 at Red Wing High School in Red Wing, MN.

Aba Luostarinen

Spiller traveled to Finland and Estonia this past year. In August 2012, he participated in the Eco Ceramics workshop that brought together ceramic artists from Latvia, Estonia and Finland at Kohila in Estonia. Spiller returned in January to give master class workshops at the HAMK University of Applied Sciences in Finland and the Estonian Academy of Art – EAA.

While participating in the workshops, Spiller learned that ceramics students had a program requirement for an international ceramics experience; he met student Aba Luostarinen, who was looking for an opportunity. Since his return in January, Spiller worked with the universities and Luostarinen on creating a pilot program to Minnesota.

Spiller approached RWCS Executive Director Stacy Wegner about the possibility of Luostarinen joining his RWCS Convention Hands-On Pottery session as part of the exchange program. By including Luostarinen, it would give him the opportunity to expand the Convention session and encompass it with the exchange program.

“Having Aba join Richard this year to expand the Hands-On Pottery Experience for our Convention attendees is a ground breaking addition to the Convention,” said Wegner. “We’re excited to be a part of the exchange program.”

Example of Lustarinen's work

“I am very excited to have Aba join me at the RWCS Convention this year to share Red Wing Pottery with an international student as part of her exchange experience,” said Spiller.

With Luostarinen’s assistance,  Spiller’s 2013 Convention Hands on Pottery Experience will be offered to attendees on both Thursday, July 11 and Friday, July 12 at Red Wing High School. Participants in the two-hour session times will have the opportunity to learn pottery techniques and make their own creation. Following the Convention, the pieces will be fired in the Anderson Center kiln and shipped to participants; the cost is $35.

In addition to the Red Wing Collectors Society Convention, contacts with the Northern Clay Center, Anderson Center and experience in Spillers studio will make up a five week university accredited program to pave the way for future exchange programs.

Luostarinen, 27, lives in Hämeenlinna, Finland and is a student at HAMK University of Applied Sciences. Luostarinen is finishing her studies as a glass and ceramic designer. Her interest and experience is in using ecological materials in ceramics. And, like Spiller, she’s also interested in wood and gas firing kilns. More of her work can be seen on her website: http://abaluostarinen.fi.