Alan Lacovetsky
Functional Pottery, Shaped by the Earth
Alan Lacovetsky has been making functional pottery and sculpture from custom-mixed clays for nearly fifty years. He has worked and exhibited throughout Canada, the US, Australia, China, Korea, Japan, Thailand and Croatia. After receiving a Master’s degree from the University of North Dakota, he taught at both the University of Manitoba and Brandon University. His earthy and ageless work is made on a foot-powered wheel and fired in a wood-burning kiln in a studio near Oak Hammock Marsh, with many materials sourced locally.
As part of the Interlake WAVE Artists group, he opens his studio twice a year for tours and purchases.
How did you start your creative practice?
Were there any key experiences that influenced the direction of your work?
I’ve always been interested in making things. In my younger years, I lived on Texada Island in BC. Living so close to nature made me think about the most basic material we have to make things with; CLAY. I studied up on exactly what it is and became really excited when I found out it took nature hundreds of millions of years to produce and I can influence its shape in seconds. If only these particles could tell us about their journey.
How has your artistic practice evolved?
My work has evolved through a natural process that happens over time.
What is your creative process? What does an average day look like?
I make my work on an antique foot-powered potter’s wheel from England. The wood-burning kiln that I built is based on ancient oriental designs. It takes 36 hours to fire, putting wood in every ten minutes for that whole time. I burn almost two cords of wood for each firing. I don’t have an average day and that is why I became an artist.
What artistic or career goals have you set for yourself?
To make high-quality art and have the opportunity to work and exhibit in various countries.
Plates and bowls by Alan Lacovetsky
Ceramic vase by Alan Lacovetsky
WANT TO KICKSTART YOUR ARTS CAREER?
How has Creative Manitoba been able to support your career?
I think it supports my career by promoting art in general. We all benefit from that.
“We all benefit from the promotion of art.”
- Alan Lacovetsky
What aspect of your work brings you the most joy?
Really all aspects of making and firing have a magic about them that celebrates nature.
What are you working on now?
I have just finished another wood firing and am working on a long-running series of pieces for the retiring teachers and administrators at one of Winnipeg’s school boards.
