BIO
Billy Ritter is a visual artist working in Cleveland, Ohio. He was born in Ellwood City, PA and grew up in Western Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Kent State University (MFA), Slippery Rock University (BFA), and studied abroad at The Academy of Fine Art and Design (VŠVU Výročie) in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Over the past 12 years he has taught and inspired hundreds of students as an Adjunct Professor of Art: (Ceramics, Drawing, Art Appreciation) at Cuyahoga Community Colleges Western, Eastern, and Metro Campuses. Over the past 16 years he has taught Ceramics Classes and Workshops at many of the Community Art Centers and Institutions throughout North East Ohio and beyond. Over the past year or so he has taken a break from teaching, but is always open to the opportunity to share and inspire others.
Billy exhibits and sells his work at his studio shop, as well as at many premier markets throughout Northern Ohio. His works are also represented by and available at Cohab Space in High Point North Carolina. Atmospheric firing, community, spirituality, and story telling through process, are the focus of his work.
His limited editions of vessels, installations, and functional heirloom pottery are loved and used by: chefs, restaurants, architects, interior designers, home cooks, photo studios, and collectors both nationally and internationally.
PROCESS
The editions of studio works the I craft are always changing; timeless and classic in their moments. This divergence lends itself to collectibility, keeps the work fresh and new, and assures that you have something truly unique. Aside from ongoing seasonal editions and one-off studio works, I hand craft private commissions, installations, and wedding registries.
Each piece that comes from my studio is handmade here in Cleveland. The wares are hand-built or “thrown” using a potters wheel. We mix all of our glazes from premium raw materials using tried and true recipes that are food, microwave, and dishwasher safe. All of my creations are high fired to cone ten using the process of natural gas and / or wood fired reduction.