Episode 76: Keith Kreeger - Objects Matter

"It’s always scary to stop doing something. But if you don’t stop doing something, you can't do something new. Every time I’ve stopped doing something other opportunities came, or I had time to try something new."
Keith Kreeger loves clay. For the past 25 years he has dedicated himself to forming and shaping various types and colors of that material, into beautiful bowls, vases, plates, and many other objects that are intended to be used and enjoyed. After college he set up his first potters studio in Cape Cod, where he grew and honed his artistic and business skills. Then a move to Austin shifted the aesthetic of his work to more simple forms with subtle lines. The look and profile of his business has also evolved over the years as he has strived to stay in tune with his core values and maintain a balance between work, family, what feels right, and what makes sense. His customers are people who care about where the things in their life come from and how they are made. Objects matter. Keith and I talk a lot about his business but also delve into his history in ceramics and his philosophies about his art, his customers, and how he figured out where he is headed.
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/41335247-836c-4f4a-8a8b-aeca55f3227a/UKdPFt78.jpg Photo by Chad Wadsworth Text courtesy of Keith's website. Meet Keith Besides being the proud owner of 32” paella pan, Keith is an artist, designer and maker. Hailing from the East Coast, Keith got to Austin as quickly as possibly with this wife and three children. Previously he had a studio and contemporary craft gallery on Cape Cod for 12 years. Keith’s aesthetic comes from the singular idea that “objects matter,” and his work reflects that simple phrase, exemplifying clean, polished and modern design. A past-president of the board of Big Medium, the arts nonprofit that produces the East Austin Studio Tour, West Austin Studio Tour and the Texas Biennial, Keith currently sits on the board of the Austin Food and Wine Alliance, the advisory board of Austin Bat Cave and is an active supporter and advocate for the Andy Roddick Foundation. When he’s not behind the wheel, he can be found making strong espresso, epic playlists, hosting as many rad events in town as possible and driving his kids to their soccer games.
https://files.fireside.fm/file/fireside-uploads/images/4/41335247-836c-4f4a-8a8b-aeca55f3227a/dRWhGyTi.jpg
Keith's Austin showroom Normal hours - Wednesday-Friday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm 916 Springdale Rd Bldg 3-104, Austin, TX 78702 EAST AUSTIN STUDIO TOUR November 16–17 & 23–24, 2019 12pm-6pm
Some of the subjects we discuss: Canopy Labels Making the shift Instagram Standing out What drives him Being a potter Traditional path True fans/new people Working with chefs Selling wholesale Something new Art of the pot Convention life Supportive partners Anniversary Sharing the work Social media Fun opportunities Connections Hand of the maker 1000 years old In the moment Capacity Something lasting What we are making Defining for yourself Largest order Re-evaluating College in NY In love with ceramics Success/failure Toshiko Takaezu Working with a legend Do it now Cape Cod Studio Collectors/tradition Reduction firing Change of aesthetic What is porcelain Move to Austin Getting established Cobra stuidos/EAST Functional objects Dinnerware Made to order Using molds Expectations Size of studio Making decisions Starting/finishing
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Intro music generously provided by Stan Killian (http://stankillian.com/main/) Support this podcast. (http://www.austinarttalk.com/supportpodcast)