Ash Street Project

Ash Street Project, the vision of artists Thomas Orr and Joanna Bloom, encompasses art studios, visiting artists, gallery space, community programs and a clay-based emerging artist mentorship program.  Our site also hosts an on-line gallery shop.

Ash Street Project's First Mentee, Aldin Huff, Prepares to Exit

It is hard to believe that it has been a year since Aldin bravely jumped on board as our first mentee at the Ash Street Project.  It has been a fantastic experience for all of us, watching Aldin's work grow while we simultaneously grew as a program.  He will always be a part of us and it will be hard to see him go. 

Aldin came to us shortly after our doors had opened.  He was confident that the mentorship program was the right fit for him and that this alternative model was the way he needed to learn.  In hindsight, we think he was spot on.  His interests in the program were diverse, driven by a desire to pursue connections with professional artists.  He explored an interest in curation in the exhibit "Purple", which he took from concept to execution.  He assisted artist Ryan Labar in the installation and break down of two large ceramic shows in the Pearl District.  He did some teaching at Ash Street and traveled to Joseph, OR to help a group of international artists, visiting the LH Project, with a week-long woodfire.

  We asked Aldin if he would reflect back a bit on his experience, and share just a few thoughts.

"I always wanted to work with my hands.  At a young age, I loved making swords, etc.  This was my motivator through school.  But art school (felt like it wouldn't be) the way I was going to succeed.  I (decided to seek out) other teachers I trusted that were participating in the art world and directly pursue (work) that way".

Aldin's situation was somewhat unique in that he came to us having done some glass work, and as it turned out, decided to use his time at Ash Street to continue with this medium.  His work grew from tiny glass rings to intricate 3d guns and life-size motorcycles.

"I wanted to figure out that technique (torching stringer).  I saw drawbacks with clay.  Stringer was more practical than glass, less equipment and expense.  Ultimately, Ash Street Project gave me the freedom to come into myself, (to discover) what kind of artist I was, and what kind of artist I wanted to be". 

We are in awe of the growth we have witnessed in Aldin's work.  Aldin's desire, at this time, is to do some traveling, expand his horizons, and set up a studio in Bellingham, Washington. 

Get on the Bus! Forbidden Fruit Tour

This past October, we had the good fortune to have the first annual Ash Street Project show open amongst a wealth of fantastic ceramic events in the greater Portland area.  At the center of it all was the Portland Art Museum's opening of "Forbidden Fruit", an exhibit of Chris Antemann's work from the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory in Germany.  Running concurrently with this event, Chris and her partner Jakob Haslacher, of the LH Project, hosted two dynamic exhibits in the Pearl:  "Nutured by Nature" and "Art out of War",  works by two different groups of their resident artists.  At the same time, Brett Binford of Eutectic Gallery, mounted an exhibit of the works of LH board members, entitled  "2x4".  Following this, Chris and Jakob generously hosted a tour for artists and collectors, to visit studios, collections and galleries in Portland, Tacoma and Seattle.  The Ash Street Project was grateful to be a part of these events!

Night Class

Over the years, we have periodically offered community classes at Ash Street Project, mostly by request.  They are social affairs as much as they are about making, and valued as such.  Our recent night class, " Handbuilt Tableware ", was proposed by a group of friends who wanted a weekly creative escape.  They are now finishing up " Handbuilding 2, the Sequel ", and have given as much to us as we have to them!  This experience has prompted us to rethink how community classes could potentially add a rich layer to the Ash Street Project, providing additional opportunities for our mentees to build experience and connection.

ASP: The First Year

In October Ash Street Project mounted an exhibit of our inaugural year.  It involved the work all who participated in our program in 2014.  It was a lively event, overlapping with several fantastic ceramic shows in town.  More on that in another post.  

Our first year show included the work of mentee Aldin Huff, visiting artists Jennifer Anable, Miles Spadone, Cathy Bloom and Amanda Salov, resident artist Matthew Causey, and participants Brett Binford, Chris Lyon and John Shea. 

Changing Topics Conversation: The Direction of Art

For our recent 3rd Thursday conversation group, we wanted to probe the question "where is art going", as a compliment to Ash Street's up and coming exhibit " "Purple".  Purple (see gallery page), program participant Aldin Huff's curatorial debut, is a sampling of work he has chosen to represent youth culture in art.  By luck gen x, gen y, millennials, boomers and the "greatest generation" were all represented.  Suffice it to say we did not agree on every point, which left our conversation lively and thought provoking.  Thank you participants!  

This month's artists:  Aldin Huff (ASP mentee, clay/glass), Ned Siegel (Shoemaker), Thomas Orr (Ash Street), Joanna Bloom (Ash Street), Brett Binnford (Mudsharks/Portland Growler, Ceramics),  Matt Causey (ASP visiting artist, clay).

Visiting Artist: Matt Causey!!!

We are so excited to have Matt Causey joining us in the studio next week!  Matt is a prolific maker/illustrator, typically using cups and plaques as his palate.  He will be exhibiting at Eutectic Gallery with Lauren Mabry in June, but in the mean time he will be trying out some new ideas at Ash street.  He plans to work on a "Portland Portrait Series",  a series of illustrations of local influences based on the "Famous Potter Plaques" he has been creating for Garth Clark's CFile shop.  We are excited to have Matt infuse Ash Street with his energy and aesthetic.   

Changing Topics Conversation: Authentic Voice

Last night we hosted our second "conversation" dinner.  This rotating monthly series, designed to supplement the mentorship program, addresses a wide range of topics as they relate to the studio artist.  We are so grateful to the rich community of artists Portland has to offer.  Many thanks to our diverse panel of artists who kept the topic of  "authentic voice"  lively and thought provoking.  What a great topic, may have to revisit.  This month's artists:  Thomas Orr (Ash Street), Dave Tinman Edgar (Painting), Joanna Bloom (not pictured, Ash Street), Karl Burkheimer (wood, mixed media, installation), Eli Osborn (multimedia, resident builder), Spencer Brewer (ASP mentee, clay), Jennifer Anable (ASP visiting artist, clay, mixed media), Lisa Kaser (Sculpture, 2D), Aldin Huff (ASP mentee, clay).

feb conversation.JPG

Tom Beardman Memorial Scholarship

Tom was our dear friend and studio partner in the early days of Ash Street.  He loved the space, and would spend most of his days there.  He was a prolific maker, and even after his diagnosis of leukemia, would continue to come to the studio daily to work.  We lost Tom in 2011.

In Tom's honor, we have created a scholarship fund.  One hundred percent of Ash Street T shirt profits will go towards supplementing the education of our mentorship artists.  Typical use of funds would be to help send students to the NCECA conference, supplement their materials, bring in speakers, or simply help defray tuition costs.  Non tax deductable donations are also gratefully accepted.  

You can find T shirts to purchase ($15) at our studio launch party, February 14h from 5-8, at our on-line shop at ashstreetproject.com, or by contacting us at info@ashstreetproject.com.  Thank you.

tom beardman.jpg

Ash Street Project T Shirts Have Arrived!!

These new beauties are hot off the press and and the boys say they are "sick". They will be ready for their debut at our February launch party, and available at our on line shop.  100% of proceeds to benefit the Thomas Beardman Scholarship!!  Specifics on scholarship fund will follow in next post.

IMG_0599.jpeg
ASP-tools.png