Edie Abnet (1947-) is a painter who was married to the late Richard Abnet (1934-2011) , a potter and founding host of the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. In this interview, Abnet discusses her husband's childhood in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and subsequent studies in ceramics at the University of Minnesota under Warren MacKenzie, and at the School for American Crafts in Rochester, New York, under Frans Wildenhain. Abnet also talks about the home and studio she and her husband shared in the St. Croix River Valley and his involvement in the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. This interview was conducted by local oral historian and PhD Candidate from the University of Minnesota Anduin Wilhide. ""A Measure of the Earth: An Oral History of the Potters of the St. Croix River Valley"" explores the anomalous community of potters in Eastern Minnesota who host an annual cooperative tour for participating ceramic artists from around the world. This annual three-day event attracts art enthusiasts from across the country. Together the project's ten oral history interviews, representing diverse perspectives from within the local pottery community, tell the story of how, from the 1950s to today, Minnesota�s St. Croix River Valley has developed into a major center for pottery, and a destination for thousands nationally.
Richard Abnet is a founding potter and host of the Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. He established his studio on a farm near Stillwater, Minnesota in 1961. Abnet died on March 1, 2011.
Image of pottery on hold for guests at Robert Briscoe's home in Harris, Minnesota. Briscoe is a founding potter and host of the annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. The 22nd annual tour was held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014.
Minnesota potter Robert Briscoe is a founding potter and host of the annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. The 22nd annual tour was held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014.
Minnesota potter Robert Briscoe is a founding potter and host of the annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. The 22nd annual tour was held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014.
Will Swanson and Janel Jacobson are founding potters and hosts of the Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. Both Swanson and Jacobson were photographed and interviewed as part of the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Swanson and Jacobson's distinctive studio and home are near Harris, Minnesota.
Edie Abnet is a watercolor artist and wife of potter Richard Abnet. Richard Abnet is a founding potter and host of the Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. He established his studio on a farm near Stillwater, Minnesota in 1961. Abnet died on March 1, 2011.
Jeff Oestreich is a founding potter and host of the Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. He was photographed and interviewed as part of the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Oestreich's distinctive home and studio are near Taylors Falls, Minnesota.
Linda Christianson is a founding potter and host of the Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. She was photographed and interviewed as part of the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Christianson's distinctive studio and log home are nestled in a clearing in the woods near Lindstrom, Minnesota.
Connee Mayeron-Cowles is a founding potter and host of the Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. She was photographed and interviewed as part of the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Mayeron Cowles' distinctive studio and home are near Shafer, Minnesota.
Jeff Oestreich is a founding potter and host of the Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. He was photographed and interviewed as part of the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Oestreich's distinctive home and studio are near Taylors Falls, Minnesota.
Will Swanson and Janel Jacobson are founding potters and hosts of the Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. Both Swanson and Jacobson were photographed and interviewed as part of the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Swanson and Jacobson's distinctive studio and home are near Harris, Minnesota.
Andy Balmer from Portland, Oregon, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Jeff Oestreich during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Balmer was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Ani Kasten of Mount Rainier, Maryland, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Connee Mayeron-Cowles during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Kasten was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Bill Gossman from New London, Minnesota, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Richard Vincent during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Gossman was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Connee Mayeron-Cowles is a founding potter and host of the Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. She was photographed and interviewed as part of the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Mayeron Cowles' distinctive studio and home are near Shafer, Minnesota.
Craig Edwards of New London, Minnesota, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Robert Briscoe during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Edwards was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Curtis Hoard of Green Valley, Arizona, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Connee Mayeron-Cowles during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Hoard was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Dan Finnegan of Fredericksburg, Virginia, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Robert Briscoe during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Finnegan was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Ellen Shankin from Floyd, North Carolina was a guest at the studio of Minnesota potter Will Swanson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Shankin was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
George Lowe from Decorah, Iowa, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Richard Vincent during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Lowe was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
George Lowe from Decorah, Iowa, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Richard Vincent during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Lowe was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Guillermo Cuellar from Maracaibo, Venezuela was a guest potter at the studion of Minnesota potter Linda Christianson during the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tours from 2006-2008. In 2009 Cuellar was invited to participate as a host of the Pottery Tour. He operates his studio near Shafer, Minnesota.
Will Swanson and Janel Jacobson are founding potters and hosts of the Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. Both Swanson and Jacobson were photographed and interviewed as part of the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Swanson and Jacobson's distinctive studio and home are near Harris, Minnesota.
Jan McKeachie Johnston of River Falls, Wisconsin, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Linda Christianson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. McKeachie Johnston was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Jason Trebs of St. Paul, Minnesota, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Robert Briscoe during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Trebs was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Jeff Oestreich is a founding potter and host of the Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. He was photographed and interviewed as part of the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Oestreich's distinctive home and studio are near Taylors Falls, Minnesota.
Jeff Oestreich is a founding potter and host of the Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. He was photographed and interviewed as part of the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Oestreich's distinctive home and studio are near Taylors Falls, Minnesota.
Jenny Mendes of Chesterland, Ohio, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Connee Mayeron-Cowles during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Mendes was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Jo Severson of Bakersville, North Carolina, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Robert Briscoe during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Severson was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Karin Kraemer from Superior, Wisconsin, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potters Will Swanson and Janel Jacobson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Kraemer was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Kent McLaughlin of Bakersville, North Carolina, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Robert Briscoe during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. McLaughlin was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Linda Christianson is a founding potter and host of the Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. She was photographed and interviewed as part of the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Christianson's distinctive studio and log home are nestled in a clearing in the woods near Lindstrom, Minnesota.
Lisa Buck of Afton, Minnesota, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Linda Christianson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Buck was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Liz Quackenbush of State College, Pennsylvania, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Connee Mayeron-Cowles during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Quackenbush was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Mark Pharis of Roberts, Wisconsin, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Connee Mayeron-Cowles during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Pharis was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Mark Pharis of Roberts, Wisconsin, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Connee Mayeron-Cowles during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Pharis was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Mark Shapiro from Worthington, Massachusetts was a guest at the studio of Minnesota potter Will Swanson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Shapiro was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Mary Barringer of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Robert Briscoe during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Barringer was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Mary Roettger from St. Paul, Minnesota, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Jeff Oestreich during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Roettger was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Matthew Metz of Alfred Station, New York, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Robert Briscoe during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Metz was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Michael Hunt of Bakersville, North Carolina, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Linda Christianson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Hunt was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Mike Helke of River Falls, Wisconsin, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Linda Christianson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Helke was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Randy Johnston of River Falls, Wisconsin, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Linda Christianson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Johnston was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Randy Johnston of River Falls, Wisconsin, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Linda Christianson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Johnston was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Richard Vincent is a founding potter and host of the Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. He was photographed and interviewed as part of the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Vincent's home and studio are in North Branch, Minnesota.
Robert Briscoe is a founding potter and host of the annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour. His studio is in Harris, Minnesota. The 22nd annual tour was held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014.
Sam Taylor from Worthington, Massachusetts was a guest at the studio of Minnesota potter Will Swanson during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Taylor was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
Sandra Byers from Rock Springs, Wisconsin, was a guest potter at the studio of Minnesota potter Richard Vincent during the 22nd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, held May 9, 10, and 11, 2014. Byers was one of 44 potters selling work at seven host studios throughout the St. Croix River Valley.
