Shows
June 28-Aug 17, 2012; "The Contemporary Art of Chawan: An International Invitational"
Cavin-Morris Gallery,New York NY (John)
Oct 5-Nov 9, 2013; "Artifacts From the Fire" juried by Jack Troy, Baltimore Clayworks, MD
Sept 20-Nov 1, 2014; "Strictly Functional Pottery National 2014" Market House
Craft Center, Lancaster PA
April, 2017; "Pots from Harstine Island" 2 person show, POTS Gallery, Seattle WA
May 23,24,25, 2020, 10-5; "Harstine Island Woodkilns Studio Show and Sale";
Harstine Island, Shelton WA; follow signs
Workshops and Classes
Sorry, there are no open workshops planned right now.
John teaches ceramics classes at Olympic College in Bremerton WA.
Colleen teaches ceramics classes at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia WA.
Publications
Colleen and John are both featured artists in "Wood-Fired Ceramics: 100 Contemporary Artists"
by Amedeo Salamoni, Foreword by Jack Troy; Schiffer Publishing 2013.
With over 500 brilliant color photographs.
link:
"Wood-Fired Ceramics: 100 Contemporary Artists"
John and Colleen are both featured artists in the eBook "American iPottery",
published 2014 by the Apple iTunes Bookstore for the iPad.
This is a digital update of "The Art of Contemporary American Pottery" by Kevin Hluch.
The January 2011 issue of Ceramics Monthly (p.26) features a review of John's show at the
Northwest Craft Center in Seattle.
A recent issue of The Log Book (Issue 35 2008) features Harstine Island Wood Kilns and the work of Colleen
Gallagher and John Benn. They discuss kiln building and how they fire their work. Color photos illustrate.
thelogbook.net
Awards
Colleen won the Second Place Award in the "Strictly Functional Pottery National 2013".
See the show at http://www.strictlyfunctionalpottery.net/sfpn2012.html
Colleen won the Potter's Group Award in the "Strictly Functional Pottery National 2012".
John won The Best of Show Award at the 2011 Bellevue Art Museum Artfair, Bellevue WA
John won The Carol Duke Award for Excellence at the 2011 Bellevue Art Museum Artfair, Bellevue WA
John won two awards for his two entries in the "Strictly Functional Pottery National 2010" --
the Second Place award, and the Bailey Pottery Equipment Purchase Award.
See the show at http://www.strictlyfunctionalpottery.net/sfpn2010.html
HARSTINE ISLAND WOODKILNS WORKSHOPS
On beautifully forested Harstine Island in Puget Sound, south of Seattle, Washington, John
Benn and Colleen Gallagher fire in two wood burning kilns: a salt kiln with a Bourry-style firebox and a 25 foot long two-chambered kiln.
Their studio is a converted boatbuilding workshop. A spacious kiln shed allows loading and stoking in comfort in all weather. For
workshop participants there will be a few glazes available (Shinos mostly) for lining pots. Workshop participants will observe and help
loading the kiln and will be assigned to a firing crew shift. Philosophy, theories and opinions on woodfiring are freely dispensed,
whether requested or not. A loft in the pottery studio has floor space for sleeping, or you may prefer to sleep in your own camper or
tent. Indoor shower and plumbing! Firing crew members are responsible for their own breakfast and lunch. Refrigerator, microwave and
propane campstove are available for use. Dinners are more social, with shared responsibility. Workshop fee of $250 for the Salt Kiln
includes 2 cu.ft. of firing space.