Tom Kendall Studio Ceramic Bowl

Details

Description

Tom Kendall is an acclaimed American ceramicist, educator, and arts administrator widely recognized for founding Oak Leaf Pottery. Operating out … Read more Tom Kendall is an acclaimed American ceramicist, educator, and arts administrator widely recognized for founding Oak Leaf Pottery. Operating out of his home studio in Plainwell, Michigan, Kendall has spent decades crafting highly sought-after, nature-inspired porcelain and stoneware.

The Artist and Educator
Kendall holds a master’s degree in art and spent a significant portion of his career building up the regional art community in West Michigan:

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA): In 1973, Kendall was hired by legendary sculptor Kirk Newman to lead the KIA’s Ceramics Department.

Art School Leadership: He subsequently stepped up to direct the entire Kirk Newman Art School, a prestigious role he held until 1996 before transitioning to full-time studio work.

Style and Craftsmanship

Every vessel from Oak Leaf Pottery is individually hand-thrown on a potter's wheel by Kendall using a custom porcelain clay body.

His work is defined by its deep connection to the natural world:

The Aesthetic: His surfaces feature intricate, gestural carvings and slip-trailed details that evoke deep woodlands, changing seasons, and his signature oak leaf and acorn motifs.
The Firing: The pieces are fired in high-atmosphere gas kilns to temperatures exceeding 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit. This intense heat causes his custom-formulated glazes to melt and pool uniquely, ensuring that no two pieces feature the exact same surface pattern.
Utility: Despite their gallery-grade artistic value, the vast majority of his mugs, bowls, pitchers, and plates are fully functional, food-safe, and dishwasher-friendly.

Legacy and Collectibility: Kendall is a nationally recognized figure in the American craft movement. His work has been widely exhibited and is represented in distinguished private collections as well as permanent museum institutions, most notably the Smithsonian Institution. He also remains a staple of Michigan heritage events, such as the annual Arts and Eats regional tour. See less