Rich Zimmerman

LSPS-LC volunteer Rich Zimmerman (1959, Effingham, IL) takes the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Zimmerman can’t specifically place the reasons for his connection to the ceramic arts or the unique style his pieces hold. He does remember always being engaged in crafts as a child, and when his family moved to a beef farm when he was 13, the surroundings clearly settled into his psyche. The brown earth tones, yellow of the grasses and blue of the streams still make an appearance on most of his surfaces.

Zimmerman graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Medical Technology and a Minor in Chemistry from Eastern Illinois University in 1982, followed by a Masters in Biology from the University of Illinois (Springfield) in 1990. His schooling led him to work for the Division of Infectious Diseases for the State of Illinois.

While Zimmerman found his work interesting, the environment itself could be stressful at times. It was at this point that he took a pottery class with artist Bob Dixon. Dixon became a mentor who gave fair and constructive critiques, pushing his students to do better. He questioned why any artist would spend a large amount of time creating a piece, but then neglect to “finish” the surface. Zimmerman took this to heart, and still lives by this today. His current work features details like slip designs, wax-resist patterns and multi-layered glazes along with any appealing techniques he sees in ceramic magazines.

While many students at LSPS-LC are just starting out and entertaining the idea of showing and selling work, Zimmerman has tried it all. While working in Springfield over the course of 25 years, the artist has presented his work at small farmers markets as well as gallery shows and events hosted by the city’s art council. Having his own home studio with a kiln and special glaze mixes helped him stay productive. Having his own practice balanced out his life, which included his government work and two wonderful children.

The artist had a major life change and transferred his work to Chicago in 2015. The impracticality of having a studio in a high-rise apartment overlooking the lake led Zimmerman through the doors of LSPS_LC. Last year, after retirement, he re-focused on his ceramics and has been producing a wide variety of work. Teapots, vases, platters, coffee mugs and dragonfly vessels are just a few of the items this prolific artist has been creating. His current works will be featured as part of a two-person show at the David Strong Gallery in Jacksonville, IL this fall.

Being in a community environment had done the artist well. His solo practice was quite successful, but he says getting feedback and encouragement from other ceramicists has been great. Zimmerman has picked up countless new techniques, which continue to expand his artistic repertoire. The artist specifically creates pieces that people can use in their daily lives, but can also be seen as individual works of art. His enjoyment comes from the process itself, and the transfer of creativity into the material. He’s still amazed at being able to make something from nothing, and takes the greatest pleasure in finishing the details. He feels like a completed piece is more than just a vessel; it is a thing of beauty, created by pure energy.