A JOURNAL’d Life: Linda Carrigan’s Life and Times with the JOURNAL of the American Art Pottery Association
by Linda Carrigan
Issues of the JOURNAL of the American Art Pottery Association, a beloved publication among collectors everywhere. Photo courtesy of Bruce Johnson.
Author, Editor and Managing Director, leader and fan of American art pottery Linda Carrigan. Via Facebook.
I have been the Managing Director and Editor of the JOURNAL of the American Art Pottery Association since March 1995. I joined the Board of the AAPA in 1991, first as Vice President and then as President for eight years. My primary focus has always been the JOURNAL. I was blessed to have Mark Mazzuki working side by side with me from 1995 until his untimely death in 2021. He was an extraordinary graphic designer and creative director. Joe Marcario easily took over from Mark (his uncle by marriage), and we have worked together since then. For most of the magazine’s years, we published six issues annually. We transitioned to four issues a year in 2010, with fewer issues but more pages.
After 150 issues, the time has come for me to retire from the position of Editor and Managing Director. Our proposed and upcoming articles file is filled with amazing stories and research from giants of the pottery movement, but it is time for someone else to bring them to life.
I am not fading into the sunset. I expect to play an active part in all things ceramic. In fact, I think I am more interested in American art pottery than ever. So I plan to be involved in as yet undetermined ways.
Linda Carrigan (left) during a visit to the Rookwood Pottery Factory in April 2022. Photo courtesy of Kate Nixon.
A visit to Cincinnati’s Rookwood Pottery Factory in April of 2022 during an AAPA Convention. Picture courtesy of Kate Nixon.
A visit to Cincinnati’s Rookwood Pottery Factory in April of 2022 during an AAPA Convention. Picture courtesy of Kate Nixon.
Many wonderful things came into my life because of American art pottery: the ability to attend shows and conferences around the country, and an annual trek to Zanesville, Ohio for Pottery Lovers since 1987. I found the best friends anyone could wish to have—scattered across the country, in all professions, from all walks of life. You have enriched my life in more ways than you can imagine, and I cherish all of you. And last but not least the pottery continues to fill my life with joy.
I look forward to answering any questions you may have and just keeping up friendships and trading tales from our lives. Any questions about upcoming JOURNAL articles or the JOURNAL itself can be addressed to Riley Humler, our AAPA President.
Please know that each of you, in your own way, has contributed to the story of ceramics in America for generations to come. I could not have done this without your help and the help of hundreds of people over the years. A million thanks for everything!
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