Holding Art Residencies Accountable: Pottery Northwest’s Toxic Leadership
By: Amanda M Barr
Tags: Institutional Change, Potterynorthwest, Accountability, Artresidencies, Performative Activism

Along with this suggestion of a statement and code of conduct policy for the studio to address the ongoing issues, I sent resources from anti-bias education, examples of anti-racism and anti-harassment/discrimination policies at other institutions, and more educational material. At this time the board also opened up a “student survey” for students to speak about issues and what the studio could do to be a safer space.

Surprise, I never saw anything come from this. Some vague promises were made, and a really disturbing “diversity statement” requirement was added to the residency application. (Sadly I don’t have a copy of this, but it asked all potential residency candidates to submit a statement of “how they would add to the diversity of the studio.” An office worker actually said they were using it to look for more artists of color. One of those new residents arrived shortly before I left only to have James make a racist joke about her name in the first 20 minutes. (Asian name, bad pun, she is awesome and told him where to shove his racism.)

Do not let them tell you they didn’t know. Everyone knew. Everyone saw it. I was cc-ing the board on emails. They put together a survey after enough students complained- THREE YEARS AGO. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention that they knew so much THEY’D HIRED LAWYERS TO DISCUSS ME.

So when Phi (@phipottery) posted a recent exposé on their treatment after being asked to curate a Queer exhibit, I wasn’t shocked. I’d had many conversations with Phi, and others from Pottery Northwest, about my experiences and theirs. And when the board posted the following bland apology, I don’t buy it. I don’t buy anyone within this organization saying “they had no idea.”

“Know that we are listening to the conversation, we hear you. We are working on a plan to make sure this never happens again and commit to sharing it as we make changes. We appreciate your patience for the time it has taken us to say we are sorry. In this time we have put our hearts and minds to the seriousness of our shortcomings.

Our goal is for anyone and everyone who comes to Pottery Northwest to feel they are a part of this place. Like you belong here because we all have a shared passion and love for community and clay. And, more importantly, that you feel like you have a say in how it exists for the community it serves. We clearly have not met this goal, but we want you to know that you have a say in what Pottery Northwest is, how it is run, and how it serves you, the community. We want to hear more of your voices. We are listening, we welcome your critique, and we are eager for change.

Pottery Northwest is committed to being an anti-racist, diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. Although we are, and have been a predominantly white organization, we strive to serve everyone who has an interest in ceramic art. We want to support creativity in ALL people. We want Pottery Northwest to be a home, where people feel respected, comfortable, and encouraged to express themselves; their perspectives, their ideas, and their creativity.

We have broken your trust and as a board we will do everything in our power to rebuild it.

If you wish to contact the board directly with questions, comments, concerns, or ideas please reach out to board@potterynorthwest.org

Sincerely,

the Board of Directors of Pottery Northwest

Granite Calimpong- Resident Representative

Taryn Coles- Vice President

Chad Cotter- Assistant Secretary

Amber Darling- Treasurer

Jennifer Fujimoto

Zak Helenske

James Howeth- Student Representative

Barbara Jirsa

Allison Kramer

Tiffany Moss- Secretary

Cappy Thompson- Vice President

Deborah Schwartzkopf

Tara Wefers-President”