Brian Evans, Ceramic Artist

Brian Evans is a ceramic artist inspired by the coast of North Carolina where he lives and works.  Brian’s pottery consists mostly of wheel thrown vessel forms – a form that is an intimate part of the daily rituals of people’s lives.  This relationship between the object and person influences the final design.

Recognized mostly for his alternative fired pottery such as Raku and Saggar fired vessels, Brian’s goal is to strive for the highest quality in his work as well as to continuously better himself as a professional artist.

Brian Evans

I approach my current work through a more contemporary aesthetic. I draw inspiration from nature, architecture, and the human form. I have been exploring surface treatment by way of textured and runny glazes which represent my interest in old weathered and eroded surfaces.

Much of my work is inspired by coastal North Carolina. This is apparent in my choices of color, concept, and in form. I enjoy making vessel forms because they are an intimate part of the daily rituals of people’s lives. This relationship between the object and person is very important to me. I have taken my current work into a new and more complex direction, especially with my sculptural pieces. Although some of my sculptural work is not functional in a conventional sense, I still find it important to retain the vessel form.

Brian Evans was born in Beaufort, SC, but was raised in Western Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1993 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Studio Art. While attending school at I.U.P, Brian focused mainly on sculpture.

He moved to Wilmington, North Carolina in 1995. In 1997 Brian began studying ceramics under Master Potter Hiroshi Sueyoshi, and immediately became hooked.

From 2002 – 2008, Brian taught Pottery Classes through the Cape Fear Community College Continuing Education Program. He also became a full-time ceramic artist in 2002. Brian has received various awards at Fine Art Shows and Art Festivals. In 2003 and in 2005, he was awarded The Regional Artist Grant for New Hanover County, North Carolina.

Brian is a founding member and Vice President of the Board of the Coastal Carolina Clay Guild in Wilmington, NC which began in 2007. He is currently an instructor at Orange Street Pottery.