Please join us in celebrating the recipients of the 2026 Grants for Apprenticeships. Each team will receive $15,000 for educational endeavors, building their practices as independent studio potters as they deepen their knowledge and relationship in the coming year.
Mentor: Yeonsoo Kim
Apprentice: Ben Babcock
Exeter, New Hampshire
Mentor: Robbie Lobell
Apprentice: Grace Roberts
Langley, Washington
Mentors: Anina Major
Apprentices: Tehara Anata and Sawyer London
Brooklyn, New York
Mentor: David Roswell
Apprentice: Dylan Traister
Durham, North Carolina
Mentor: Kevin Snipes
Apprentice: Soso Capaldi
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Penland, North Carolina
2026 Jurors
Adero Willard
Adero was born in New York City. She completed her BFA in Fine Arts at NY State College of Ceramics at Alfred and received an MFA from Nova Scotia College Of Art and Design in Halifax, NS, Canada. Willard taught ceramics as a visiting assistant professor at NY State College of Ceramics at Alfred University from 2020-2023. Adero is a co-founder and board member of POW! Pots on Wheels!, an organization dedicated to bringing ceramics to communities lacking ceramics programs. In the spring of 2023, Adero curated an exhibition at NCECA in Cincinnati titled “Clay Holds Water, Water Holds Memory”. Adero has participated in several ceramics discussion panels, exhibited work nationally and internationally, and has been featured in numerous publications and books on ceramics. Currently, Willard serves as an assistant professor of ceramics at California State University Sacramento.
Kate Waltman
Kate opened her pottery studio in Seagrove, North Carolina in 2010. Kate’s pots are made with local materials, boldly carved with organic patterns inspired by Art Deco design, and fired in a large wood-burning kiln. Kate shows her pots internationally and has lectured and taught throughout the USA.