At Heirloom Ceramic Studio, we believe in supporting the growth of art and culture through providing residency and internship programs. Each of our programs aim to support artists at varying levels to improve their making practices and have an accessible space to create. Each Program provides materials, full facility usage, and customized residency plans to help you develop your artistic practice.

With a focus on material and glaze science, personal business development, and finding an artistic voice, our programs look to bring in artists who wish to develop an understanding of complex and personalized ceramic materials, find economic stability in their ceramic practice, and put in the time to advance their body of work.

A dedicated glaze lab and material library allow our residents to create and test a multitude of glazes, clays, and ceramic materials. Full studio access gives our residents the opportunity to create significant amounts of work in a space that can support their growth and experimentation. Each resident also receives a personalized mentorship to aid in meeting their unique goals.

Our Current Programs

Artist in Residence

Focusing on emerging artists, this program aims to provide space and materials to an artist looking to hone in their body of work and develop their glaze and ceramic material knowledge. Residents aim to come out of this program with in depth glaze/material knowledge, personal business development, and a large body of work. Resident artists receive a monthly stipend, full glaze lab access, full material usage, full studio access, and paid teaching opportunities.

Erick Martinez (Resident Artist 2023-2024)

Erick Martinez is a figurative sculptor fascinated by the human figure and the complexity of emotions. He began his art journey four years ago after moving to The United States from Bogotá, Colombia. Life experiences inspire his artwork, and his sculptures seek to transmit that all emotions have a purpose, even those labeled as negative. His sculptures have been exhibited in galleries in Oregon and Washington State. He currently lives in Oregon, where he is pursuing a degree in human services and addiction counseling.

“My art seeks to express what it means to be human. I want to show that every life has a tremendous amount of joy, love, as well as pain and loss. I want to convey that all emotions - positive or negative - are a part of the human experience.”

Student Residency

Focusing on Art and Design focused college level students. This program aims to provide materials and space while also teaching the resident about the technical work it takes to run a ceramic studio. This program requires a set amount of technical work each week accompanied by personal making time. Residents aim to come out of this program with the technical ability to run and maintain a ceramic studio as well as having developed their own artistic voice. Student Residents receive part time employment, full material usage, and full studio access.

Connor Schulz (Student Resident 2023-2024)

I’m a Portland born artist and designer in my last year studying Product Design at the University of Oregon. I love exploring the intersections of utility and artistic expression to create objects and products that engage with us and our daily rituals and behaviors. With everything I create, I hope to elicit joy, comfort, curiosity, mindfulness, and play from those who interact with my creations. I work in many mediums as a designer including wood, ceramic, fibers, and digital modeling, however, I consider ceramics to be my primary artistic practice.

Ceramics for me is an especially meditative process; my philosophy and my mindfulness practice are influenced more and more by my ceramics practice with each day. The medium has taught me a lot about patience, calm, acceptance, and growth. I translate these lessons into my daily life as often as I can, and I’ve found myself happier because of it. I can’t count how many times I’ve flopped a piece on the wheel, but each time has made me a better ceramicist and made me more comfortable embracing challenge and failure, which has prepared me for life in ways I couldn’t have ever expected.

High School Internship

Focusing on High School Juniors and Seniors (16+) interested in ceramic arts as a career. This program aims to teach younger artists what it takes to create a ceramic business, run a studio, and develop a body of work. This program requires a set amount of technical work each week accompanied by personal making time. High School Interns receive full material usage, studio access, and mentorship.