With a passion for pottery spanning over 50 years, Alan Burslem used his artistic talents to create thousands of pieces of ceramic art. Alan’s history of pottery began in 1973 at West Virginia University where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (BFA). His education continued at the University of Delaware, where he received his Masters Of Fine Arts. This educational foundation laid the groundwork for the exquisite creations that would follow. Alan’s artistic journey expanded beyond his personal work to the realm of education. He shared his knowledge by teaching at The University of Delaware, Tower Hills School, and The Rehoboth Art League, educating the next generation of artists with his insights and experiences. For years, Alan exhibited and demonstrated for the Sugarloaf Craft Shows, showcasing his handcrafted masterpieces throughout the United States. Alan has also been a member of the Rehoboth Art League in Delaware since 1976. His continued presence at this event shows Alan’s commitment to both his craft and the community that supports him.
How each piece is created
Every piece Alan creates is a testament to his long history with ceramics. From the very inception, he blends powders to create unique clay bodies that serve as the foundation for his creations. Each piece undergoes the wheel-throwing process, followed by creative hand embellishments. After crafting, the pieces are bisque fired to a temperature of 1750°F, preparing them to be waxed, glazed, and decorated. Alan formulates his own glazes, which is a big aspect of his work. The pieces are then fired in a gas kiln at an impressive 2386°F, which takes approximately 20 hours. A cooling period of 36 hours follows before the finished pieces are ready to be exhibited.
