Artist to Watch: Potter Matty Wildenberg - Inside Art With Michael Rose

Artist to Watch: Potter Matty Wildenberg - Inside Art With Michael Rose

 

Functional pottery is a foundational discipline in the field of ceramics and for local artist Matty Wildenberg it is also his passion. In forms like vases and mugs, Wildenberg does work with care and creativity, shaping handmade and useful ceramic objects. An emerging craftsperson honing his skills in clay, Wildenberg credits local space Anyhow Studio with his passion for the field. He is an artist to watch.

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Wildenberg came to Rhode Island from Pennsylvania to study at Johnson and Wales, where he earned a degree in Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts with a Minor in Wine Studies. Today he is an Admission Counselor at a non-profit that creates summer enrichment programs for middle schoolers and his ceramic practice is a valued element of his life. Much of his training in clay has come from involvement at Anyhow Studio on Acorn Street in the Valley District. He has been with the studio since its beginnings and studied with instructors Mary Drake, Liz Welch, Zoë Wyner, and Cali Almy, learning everything from throwing on the wheel and creating drinking vessels to surface design and shaping tall forms. Currently, he is rounding out his skills by studying wood-firing ceramics at The Steel Yard with Resident Artist Seth Rainville.

 

 

Asked about the role Anyhow Studio has played in his progress as an artist, Wildenberg is effusive, saying, “My entire journey has been profoundly shaped by my experiences at Anyhow Studio. This inclusive community of ceramic artists has been instrumental in my growth, offering support and inspiration at every stage of my craft since the beginning of learning to throw on the wheel. With guidance from my teachers, who have become mentors and friends, along with the camaraderie of fellow artists, I have a supportive and safe space to practice and experiment with my pottery.”

 

In his work, Wildenberg primarily creates usable ceramics and imbues them with symbols that are both personal and accessible. Quilt motifs are something he returns to regularly, hinting at his mother’s love of the practice. Simple and direct floral images formed by masking areas of the vessel during the glazing process are another approach preferred by the artist.

 

 

Asked about the role of functional forms in his studio practice, Wildenberg responds, “Functional pieces, such as mugs, bowls, and flower vases, have a special way of becoming part of people's daily lives. I have come to love the problem-solving aspect of creating functional pieces that work well for their intended use and refining the process of making and glazing them.”

 

He goes on to say, “I imagine sculptural and handbuilt work will eventually be another pathway for me to explore; I am just having so much fun playing with the wheel!”

 

One new project Wildenberg has begun is to handmake dozens of candle holders for his sister’s upcoming nuptials. On a shelf at the studio, he is accruing thrown candlesticks in various forms that he will soon decorate, glaze, and customize. This special endeavor speaks to how personally Wildenberg takes his practice as a ceramic artist more generally. All of his work is enriched by his passion for sharing.

 

 

Reflecting on how he would like people to interact with the pottery he is creating, Wildenberg says, “I hope my work resonates with people by helping them connect to moments or memories where they feel safe, experience a sense of ‘home,’ or enjoy being in nature. A part of me wishes people would see my work and think, ‘I want to try ceramics one day.’”

 

Wildenberg’s journey with clay is something that should inspire others. He came to Anyhow Studio as a novice, and through diligent study, years of practice, and much trial and error, he created a rich and varied artistic life for himself. The value of this practice has come from new friends and connections as well as a desirable skillset and sense of craft. Although a relatively new artist, he has already shown his work at The Steel Yard’s Iron Pour Market in 2023 and has participated in one of the Anti-Robot Club’s Markets as well.

 

 

Looking forward, Wildenberg continues to look to share his work and utilize pottery as a way to connect with others, saying, “You can find some of my work at Small Format, a queer-cooperative-run gallery and café on Wickenden Street. Feel free to contact me with any commission requests or questions about getting involved with the community at Anyhow Studio. Whether you're interested in taking a class, dropping in to create some pieces, or getting to know the pottery community in Rhode Island better.”

 

See regular updates from Wildenberg’s studio on Instagram via @mattywildpottery. Learn more about Anyhow Studio and start a ceramic practice of your own by visiting www.anyhowstudioprovidence.com.