About the potter
It is the job of the artist to discover and convey wonder in the universe. The potter is perhaps the most well situated to make discoveries due to the close rhythmic, daily work with clay. Mud is the most basic yet most incomparable of materials. It connects the potter with primordial aspects of the world around us, The potter is grounded by the making of pots that contain volume.
Andy Iventosch received his BFA from Northern Arizona University in 1981 and later earned his MFA from the University of North Texas in 1984. He took pottery in high school and hasn’t stopped potting since. Now, Andy has been making pottery in his hometown Tucson, Arizona for more than thirty-five years.
Among his influences are the Mingei movement inspired pottery of Shoji Hamada and Bernard Leach. The abstract expressionist ceramics of Peter Voulkos has been another significant inspiration. He continues to produce a variety of domestic ware as well as larger vases, jars, and platters.
Andy lives with his wife Mieko in Tucson.
Andy’s pots are currently on display and available for purchase at the following shops:
Taliesin West Gift Shop
Phoenix Art Museum Gift Shop
Tucson Museum of Art Gift Shop
Curriculum Vitae
Selected Exhibitions
Three Ceramic Artists, Three-person show with Joni Pevarnik and Russell Kahn. Pima Community College - West Campus Visual Arts Gallery. Tucson, AZ. 2023.
A Tribute To Clay, Joint show with Marcy Wrenn, Maurice Grossman, Lauren Grossman, Aurore Chabot, Joy Fox McGrew, Colleen Quigley, Hiro Tashima, and Kazuma Sambe. Pima Community College - Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery. Tucson, AZ. 2022.
Reflection and Renewal, Tucson Jewish Community Center. Tucson, AZ. 2019.
Legacy; Don Bendel, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ. 2018.
Celebration of Life, Group show in honor of Paul Voertman, University of North Texas, Denton, TX. 2017.
Krikawa Jewelry Designs, Tucson, AZ. 2014.
Ohyama Gendai no Bijutskan (Ohyama Contemporary Museum), One Man Show. Isehara City, Japan. 2010.
TOU-TOU-TEN, Group show, Atsugi City, Japan. 2010.
Galveston College, Three-person show with Carl Block and Max Butler. Galveston, TX. 2009.
Tucson Jewish Community Center, Two-person show with Howard Salmon. Tucson, AZ. 2008.
Coconino Community College, “Atmos-Terra” invitational. Flagstaff, AZ. 2007.
Tucson Jewish Community Center, Jewish Arts Alliance group show. Tucson, AZ. 2006.
Tucson Jewish Community Center, Four-person show. Tucson, AZ. 2004.
Muse Gallery, Two-person show with Choon Sub Lee. Tucson, AZ. 2004.
The Modern Hand, Three-person show. Tucson, AZ. 2003.
Tucson International Airport, Group ceramics show. Tucson, AZ. 2000.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Contemporary Arizona Ceramics Collection,Phoenix Arts Commission. Phoenix, AZ. 1998.
Northern Arizona University Art Gallery. Two-person show with Joan Pevarnik. Flagstaff, AZ. 1997.
Tucson Museum of Art. Arizona Biennial. Tucson, AZ. 1995.
Scottsdale Center for the Arts. “Fired, Baked and Fried” invitational. 1989.
Central Arts Collective. “Now we know that Good Art and Good Health aren’t Synonymous!” invitational. Tucson, AZ. 1988.
Selected Work Experience
“Jewish Clay” survey of Jewish potters at Temple Emanu-El, Tucson, AZ. 2019.
Paper presentation “As the Wheel Turns” a Colloquium on the Potters’ communities in Ancient Greece and the Mediterranean. UA. Tucson, AZ. 2014.
Matsumoto Pottery. Kanawagawa, Japan. 2009-2010.
City of Tucson, Parks and Recreation. Pottery instructor. Tucson, AZ. 2007-Present.
Pima Community College. Adjunct Faculty. Taught Introduction to Ceramics. Tucson, AZ. 2007.
Taught two month long sessions on Jewish Art with a team at Temple Emanu-El. Tucson, AZ. 2005-2006.
Charles Focht Pottery. Tucson, AZ. 1989.
Kevin Osborn Ceramics. Tucson, AZ. 1986-1989.
Northern Arizona University. Assisted in the construction of two large Japanese traditional wood burning kilns with Yukio Yamamoto. Flagstaff, AZ. 1985-1986.
Five Bridges Ceramic Manufacturing. Manufactured industrial slip cast ceramics. Tucson, AZ. 1985.
Paul Ray Storey Pottery. Production potter. Marshall, TX. 1982.
Education
University of North Texas, Master of Fine Arts Degree in Art Ceramics. Denton, TX. 1984.
Northern Arizona University, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Ceramics. Flagstaff, AZ. 1981.
Selected Publication
Experience Clay. Maureen Mackey 3rd Edition. Davis Publication. 2022.