Mark Nafziger - Brush Creek Pottery

08/25/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dcd6RmjFUbm/?igsi=azlraXlldjBqZXBs

Had a wonderful time participating in the 40th annual Hungarian Folk Festival!!

08/13/2026

Mesterségek Ünnepe Festival!
We have been invited to participate as part of a delegation of Art and Music Envoys in the 40th Annual Festival of Folk Arts, August 20-23, 2026, Budapest, Hungary! We are very honored and look forward to sharing and learning from other potters. To see the full line up go to U.S. Embassy Hungary

07/02/2026

07/02/2026

06/26/2026

https://www.instagram.com/p/DaDdeR0jnyu/?igsh=djdramc3ZTZiODZr

06/25/2026

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ-Gr73DjQK/?igsh=MTBjaWNzYXFsa3FvMA==

07/09/2025

It’s been 20 years since I built my small bourry box kiln. Soon after its first firing, I attended the in Wooster Ohio and was invited to hang out after hours with John Neely . As we sipped a nightcap and talked, I expressed my frustration in firing my kiln where I had to lift the lid of the firebox to stoke. He just looked at me and calmly asked, “have you considered side stoking?” Thinking of you last night John. Thank you. May you rest in peace.

07/08/2025

After repairs made to the spark arrestor on the chimney (1 & 2), the pots are wadded(3), the kiln is loaded and the door is bricked(4), a little warming fire(5) sets the stage for burning the kiln tomorrow.

11/19/2024

Can this be real? I’m pinching myself expecting to wake up. Feeling humble and grateful.

1 & 2 The sign greeting us when we arrived.
3. Doing a little explanation.
4. Over looking Bhaktapur pottery square, out the window of the workshop space
5. Juju Dhau, the best yoghurt ever! Made and served in single use earthenware cups.

11/07/2024

This platter is currently on display at the Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal.

A little over two years ago, I was honored and humbled to be invited to be a part of an exhibit at the embassy through the U.S. State Department’s, Arts in Embassies program.

https://art.state.gov/personnel/mark_nafziger/

The Museum of Modern Art first envisioned this global visual arts program in 1953, and President John F. Kennedy formalized it at the U.S. Department of State in 1963. Today, Art in Embassies is an official visual arts office within the U.S. Department of State, engaging over 20,000 participants globally, including artists, museums, galleries, universities, and private collectors. It encompasses over 200 venues in 189 countries.

https://art.state.gov/about/

Growing out of this exhibit has arisen an invitation for Joyce and me, to be Arts Envoys.

The Arts Envoy Program engages American artists and arts professionals in cultural exchange programs and shares the best of the U.S. arts community with the world to foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration, to demonstrate shared values and aspirations, and to address foreign policy themes and objectives. American arts professionals — including performing artists, visual artists, poets, playwrights, chefs, dancers, theatrical and film directors, curators, and others — travel overseas to conduct workshops, give performances, and mentor young people. U.S. artists also engage online through virtual programs that often allow for greater reach and longer-term connections. Programs connect with international publics seeking to interact and connect with American arts professionals.

https://exchanges.state.gov/us/program/arts-envoy

The official title of the program is:
Arts Envoy: Blending Heritage with Modern Techniques: A Transformative Pottery Exchange for Economic Empowerment

With so many talented potters working today, in such a variety styles and techniques, we can only offer what knowledge and experience we have. We know we will learn and come home with more than we give.

We leave in a week!