Tonight at Lillstreet, we had a brief slide presentation by Canadian potter Aaron Nelson.
Aaron used to be a studio member at the old Lillstreet location, and taught classes…
a couple of which I had the opportunity to participate in. Aaron has always had a very unique
view on things, a sense of wonder and a beautiful aesthetic. His classes were always fun…
and I could just listen to his accent for hours. Especially when we were talking about teapots…
with a lot of “aboouuts” and the “spoouut” that went on “agane” and “agane.” Too funny.

Well, Aaron has been gone for many years, but was passing through Chicago and stopped by
for a visit. He has traveled around, gotten married and started a family since leaving Chicago.
He’s worked at the Archie Bray Foundation and eaten a lot of doughnuts. But I digress…
He even spent 8-weeks in his handmade kayak paddling along the west coast of Canada.
I’m so jealous!!! Now he has landed in Alberta, Canada at a wonderful clay facility called
Medalta. Apparently, Medalta was once home to some of Canada’s most important pottery,
china and clay factories. These days, the history is being preserved with the unique
Medalta Potteries National Historic Site. Not only was Aaron there to entertain and share
his passion for clay, but also to hype the wonderful clay opportunities they host there
for workshops & residencies.

He also told us some of the things he’s been working on. Including some crazy clay recipe
“mistake” that he’s now trying to refine that has a MUCH lower melting point, but is incredibly
translucent as it seems closer to glass than clay when it is finally fired. Plus, some wacky
concept of hooking up a bicycle to a generator to somehow work together to fire a kiln?!
I’m in!!! Doubt it…. but Love it anyway.

When I got home, it was late dinner time… so I had to pull out some of his dinnerware!
I’ve had it for years. A wonderful set of wheelthrown dinner & dessert plates in two-tone
stripes! I’ve served many a pizza on these plates. And an occasional cheesecake on the
dessert plates!!! Beautiful plates always make the food taste better. Don’tcha think?

Not only do I have dinnerware…
but one of Aaron’s mugs has a permanent spot in my mug collection! It was great to see
Aaron “agane”… to hear his stories, mock his accent and be inspired by his words.