Fellow potters,
Thank you for indicating an interest in our program. We have several year round positions and a summer position for you to consider.

Eckels Pottery is a pottery studio located on the shores of Lake Superior in Bayfield, WI. Recently designated "The Best Little Town in the Midwest" Bayfield is the gateway to the Apostle Islands, home of the Lake Superior National Lakeshore, and host to thousands of visitors each year. (Check the Bayfield Chamber web site)

Bob Eckels has been making pots since 1951. For 25 years he was a college art professor and showed his work nationally in competitive exhibitions. Since 1975 he has been a full time studio potter assisted by his daughter Deanna who has more than 20 years of professional experience. She helps to manage the studio and business as well as producing her own line of fine porcelain. She has participated in the Smithsonian Craft show and American Craft Council shows throughout the country.

The pottery has been a successful operation since 1960. We build our inventory for the summer during the winter months, and sell most of what we produce from our own sales gallery. Bayfield is a beautiful place to live and work! A well equipped studio and compatible associates create a satisfying environment for the serious artist craftsperson who is dedicated to the learning process.

Application
If you wish to apply for a position, send us the following materials:

1. Educational background (Transcripts)
2. Three letters of recommendation from previous employers or professional references
3. At least 5 photos or slides of recent work
4. A personal statement indicating what you would like to learn from this experience

In addition, a personal visit to our studio is always recommended.
To call for more information: 1-866-779-5617
To fax: 1-715-779-5617 To e-mail: eckkelspottery@charter.net

Job Description
Eckels Pottery provides the opportunity for those of limited professional experience to "Earn while they Learn". In a professional environment you will find out what it is like to sell your work directly to the public. All equipment and materials necessary for the young artist to develop both technically and artistically are provided.

Qualifications
A basic pottery background; a willingness to cooperate and work hard; the ability to work successfully with others in close quarters over an extended period of time. Apprentices learn through observation, participation, and teaching from Bob and his staff.

Responsibilities

1. Shop Maintenance - includes keeping the studio and gallery areas clean and orderly. Floors, windows, kiln rooms, outside displays, gardens, bathroom, are all included in daily cleaning routines. Workers maintain a rotating schedule with everyone taking part in an 8 hour day. Hours may be extended during the summer season.
2. Trade - Includes waiting on customers, demonstrating, etc.
3. Studio - Includes mixing clay, pugging clay for Bob, mixing glazes, loading and firing kilns, unloading and preparing pots for sale.
4. Assisting in whatever jobs need to be performed around the studio. (shoveling the roof or pulling weeds in the garden.)

Finances
In return for participating in the work described above, you will be keeping $400.00 worth of pots per month at no cost to yourself. All tools, materials, and equipment as well as firings will be provided. All of your pots will be sold in my gallery with a 40% consignment fee; this covers the gallery overhead costs, advertising and marketing expenses. Your ability to earn will be based on your ability to produce. Pricing will be done by Deanna. All of your work will be inspected, critiqued, and approved for quality by Eckels Pottery. You might want to consider saving money before you come, to tie you over until you can produce a sizable inventory. Some of our past apprentices have worked additional part time jobs as well.

The apprenticeship is considered a PRACTICAL EXTENSION OF ACADEMIC TRAINING. It is an opportunity to continue learning in the context of a functioning pottery studio . The opportunity to learn in a beautiful, stimulating environment is a modification of the traditional apprenticeship model which has successfully educated skilled artisans for generations.

The apprenticeship's major goal is to teach you how to make a living as a potter. You will be encouraged to grow as an individual, an artist, a business person, and a designer. You will be directed to increase the quality, production, and sale of your pots.

The apprenticeship starts by arrangement, and after a trial period of three to four weeks an agreement as to a specified length of time will be made and a contract will be signed. Individual needs will be considered. In the event that the established term of employment is arbitrarily ended, all of the apprentices' inventory present in the shop at this time will remain at Eckels Pottery to accommodate the inventory expectations of the business. A two year commitment is most beneficial to those first starting out because it provides time to develop technical skills and work philosophies needed to succeed at a professional level. The option of a summer experience is also available.

EQUIPMENT AND FACILITY

1. SALES GALLERY TO SELL YOUR WORK
2. TWO DOWNDRAFT KILNS; 18 CUBIC FOOT AND 30 CUBIC FOOT; RAKU KILN
3. VENCO DEAIRING PUGMILL
4. BAILEY SLAB ROLLER
5. EXTRUDER
6. 5 ELECTRIC WHEELS OF ORIGINAL DESIGN
7. ALL NECESSARY MATERIALS, CLAYS, CHEMICALS, EQUIPMENT
8. PERSONNEL INSTRUCTION FROM A STAFF HAVING OVER 80 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
9. LOCATED IN A BEAUTIFUL AND VERY UNIQUE AREA ON THE SHORES OF LAKE SUPERIOR.