Paul Eshelman

Paul Eshelman is known for functional slip cast red stoneware forms such as cups, teapots, platters, and bowls. Slip casting became Eshelman?s method of choice for both aesthetic and practical reasons. Signature ...
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    Biography

    Paul Eshelman is known for functional slip cast red stoneware forms such as cups, teapots, platters, and bowls. Slip casting became Eshelman?s method of choice for both aesthetic and practical reasons. Signature pieces are glazed with a singular bold color; simplicity is an important principle of design in Eshelman?s work.

    After his MFA, Eshelman continued his education at The Ohio State University in an industrial design graduate study program but left to pursue a career as a full-time studio artist. It was [1] the ?toughest decision our family made? but also one of the best.

    He has stated that his main influences come from ?architecture, design, functional objects, and tools.?[2]

    [1] Paul Eshelman, ?Paul Eshelman,?Ceramics Monthly: Working Potters, special issue, June/July/Aug 2009,Vol. 57, Issue 6, pg. 32-35.

    [2]Paul Eshelman, ?Paul Eshelman.?Table Space: A Framework for Contemporary Ceramics. Ed. Linda Sikora and Albion Stafford. Catalog Fosdick-Nelson Gallery, Alfred University, Alfred, NY, 2011.



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    Apprenticeships & Residencies
    Primary Work Experience
    1982
    -

    Studio Potter

    1982
    -
    1987

    Instructor of Ceramics, North Central College, Naperville, Illinois

    -
    1995

    Quad City Arts’ Visiting Visual Artist Residency, Rock Island, Illinois

    -
    1998

    Visiting Artist, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

    -
    2006

    Amcor PET, Design Consultant, Manchester, MI

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    2012

    Visiting Artist, Alfred University, Alfred, New York

    Other

    Public Collections

    Alfred Ceramic Art Museum, Alfred Universoty, Alfred, New York

    American Museum of Ceramic Arts, Pomona, California

    The Bailey Collection of Contemporary Ceramics, Bailey Pottery Equipment, Kingston, New York

    The Goldstein Museum of Design, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota

    International Museum of Dinnerware Design, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, Permanent Collection, San Angelo, Texas 

    Bibliography

    American Craft (staff). “Ready to Serve: Paul Eshelman.” American Craft, February/March 2014.

    Cleary, Naomi. 100 Artists 1000 Cups. Philadelphia PA: The Clay Studio, 2016.

    Eshelman, Paul. “A Cast of Pots”, Ceramics Monthly 40, no. 8 (Oct. 1992).

    Hall, Sherman (Ed.). “Work and Play: The Potter's Life: Pauk Eshelman,” Ceramics Monthly 57, no. 6 (June/July/August 2009).

    Hluch, Kevin. The Art of Contemporary American Pottery, Iola WI: Krause Publications, 2001.

    Hunt, Bill. 21st Century Ceramics in the United States and Canada. United States: American Ceramic Society, 2003.

    Lawton, Jim. 500 Teapots, Volume 2. Asheville NC: Lark Crafts, 2013.

    Marshall, Hannah. “Paul Eshelman’s Handled Soup Bowl.” Pottery Making Illustrated, March/April 2016.

    Marshall, Hannah. “Raised in Clay.” Ceramics Monthly 58, no. 7 (Sept. 2010).

    Martin, Andrew. The Essential Guide to Mold Making & Slip Casting. New York NY: Lark Books, 2006. 

    Peterson, Susan. Contemporary Ceramics. United Kingdom: Watson-Guptill Publications, 2000.

    Sikora, Linda and Albio Stafford. Tablespace: A Framework for Contemporary Ceramics. United States: Division of Ceramic Art, School of Art and Design, New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, 2012.

    Sykes, Toni (Publisher). Object Lessons: Original Art from GUILD Artists. United Kingdom: GUILD Pub., 2001.

    Taylor, Brian J., and Kate Doody. Ceramic Glazes: The Complete Handbook. London: Thames Hudson, 2014.  

    Williams, Gerry. “Twenty Potters in the Land of Lincoln.” Studio Potter 31, no. 2 (June 2003).

    CV or Resume

    Beul, Jasmine

    Website(s)
    Tags (related topics)

    American Museum of Ceramic Arts

    AMOCA

    The American Ceramic Society

    ACerS

    Center for Craft

    CfC

    Alfred

    Western Michigan Potters Guild

    Northern Illinois University

    DeKalb

    Wheaton College

    School of the Art Institute of Chicago

    Quad City Arts

    North Central College

    Rhode Island School of Design

    Slip cast

    Citation: Beul, Jasmine Paul Eshelman, "The Marks Project."
    Last modified April 29, 2026. https://www.themarksproject.org/artists/paul-eshelman

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