Atticus Zavelle

Artist Atticus Zavelle (born 1988 Tokyo, Japan) has gone from uncovering and admiring ancient pottery as an archeologist, to creating his own at Lincoln Square Pottery Studio - Learning Center.

Zavelle started his pottery practice on a kick wheel during his junior year in High School. His teacher, James Sandler, was an accomplished artist with a background in large scale sculpture (metal, wood and plaster). Zavelle absorbed most of his methods from watching him, including how to throw, load kilns and how to generally run a studio. Teacher and student would often have “mug offs” where each would compete to throw the better mug. Zavelle received an award for his pottery skills while at school, and years later would still follow his instructor’s advice.

Although Zavelle was born in Tokyo, he does not have memories of the city. He and his family moved to Rye, New York before he turned one. The artist had ample opportunity to visit the Big Apple because his father worked at the New York Public Library. Trips into the metropolis included museums, galleries and sometimes a show. Zavelle was always drawn to sculpture, and The Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens near his home in Rye helped pique his interest even more. Discourse with his mother, who had a degree with a concentration in ceramics, also helped cement his path in art.

Zavelle received a degree in anthropology with a focus in archeology in 2010, as well as a masters in geographic info systems in 2012. Both degrees are from the University of Arizona, Tuscan. Zavelle didn’t have the time or resources during this period to pursue pottery, but would occasionally accompany friends on Raku firing field trips. This kept him connected to the medium. Zavelle did take advantage of the incredible landscapes of the area for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and camping.

Between 2012 and 2016, Zavelle worked as an archeologist for a private firm. He helped with mapping, field work, excavations and surveying. Big energy, fracking and military establishments would hire the business to discover cultural artifacts and resources on the land they plan to utilize. Zavelle excavated and surveyed historic roasting pits and ancient pueblos. The job was not to remove or recover the items, but to inform the company as well as the tribal representatives of the find. The sites would not be disturbed by construction or industry growth. During this time, the artist became very good at identifying ancient black on white ware. These vessels often featured sharply contrasting geometric designs that are abstract representations of the natural world. These discoveries, along with lithic stone tools and projectile points were very exciting for Zavelle and left a deep impression.

A move to Champaign, Illinois, was a major change for Zavelle in 2016. The type of outdoor recreation he’d become accustomed to out West changed due to the topographic differences. He needed another hobby, and he knew just what he wanted to get back to. The artist joined the Champaign Urbana Potters Club. During the two years there, he volunteered his time and ended up serving as president. His responsibilities included an administrative role, managing the space’s multiple committees and helping with orientation for new members. The studio ran on volunteers, which kept the space open and clean 24 hours a day. Zavelle knew the studio from the ground up; from its glazes and clay make up to being able to replace the coils in the kilns. Because he spent so much time in the space, he took a deep dive into glaze ingredients and their visual effects. Zavelle took each glaze recipe, put them into a spreadsheet to figure out how they interacted with each other. Mastering this information was important because he was most focused on how a second glaze coating would contrast to the first layer. He gravitated towards Zinc and Lithium Oxide. The Zinc would combine flawlessly with other glazes, while the Lithium created speckles. This all became very important once he started to experiment with the tape resist method. Using painters tape, Zavelle would lay flowing geometric patterns onto bowls and plates. He preferred to do this activity while drinking a beer and catching a show on T.V. The process was time consuming but relaxing. Once in the studio, he would use a spray booth to gently put down differing layers. The application of glaze with the spray gun gave each surface a soft and blended appearance, with the intricate line designs shining through. One of Zavelle’s favorite pieces he made at the Potters Club was inspired by a body of water in California. The Salton Sea was a resort destination in the 1950’s and 60’s, but contamination from farm runoff created disease and die-offs of local wildlife in later decades. Zavelle commemorated the unique place with stenciled plates. He hopes to create more pieces that memorialize unique waterways and environmental spots.

Zavelle recently moved to the Chicago area with his wife, Erin Cox. He now works for the Illinois State Water Survey, taking core samples in Lake Michigan, as well as using his mapping and data background skills. He joined LSPS-LC to continue his pottery practice, and has found it a good place to transition to. The studio’s glaze wall has been especially helpful for him because the test tiles easily convey the endless visual possibilities. He can also apply his past knowledge of ingredients and their results directly to the work he currently creates. Zavelle has been thinking about a new series while walking around the area (his best way of coming up with ideas). A set of plates and new mixing bowls with more complex design and color work has been on his mind. He hopes to build up inventory to add onto his Etsy store (find it through his website, ancientzygote.com). The artist is also showing and selling work during this year’s Ravenswood Artwork on Saturday, September 11th. He and his striking pottery will be featured in the LSPS-LC tent, in the outdoor section on Ravenswood Avenue between Berteau and Belle Plaine in Chicago.