Clay, Community + Place
A Special Evening Conversation at the Indiana Dunes
Please join us for an intimate evening of conversations, connection, and storytelling overlooking Lake Michigan at sunset.
As part of Beale Pottery’s annual Summer Camp Celebration, Clay, Community & Place brings together five distinguished ceramic artists - Dick Lehman, John Britt, Justin Rothshank, Heidi Fahrenbacher, and Delores Fortuna for a thoughtful discussion exploring the influence of place, the realities of sustaining a ceramics practice, and the role of community in shaping a life in clay.
Hosted within the historic Indiana Dunes Pavilion, guests will gather in one of the region’s most treasured landmarks. Originally constructed in 1929 and perched atop the dunes overlooking Lake Michigan, the Pavilion has welcomed generations of visitors seeking beauty, inspiration, and connection to this remarkable landscape. Its rich history and stunning setting provide the perfect backdrop for an evening centered on creativity and belonging.
Through stories of friendship, mentorship, collaboration, and decades of shared experiences in creating successful ceramic practices, our panelists will reflect on the relationships and environments that have supported their work and helped shape their artistic journeys. Together, we’ll explore what becomes possible when artists invest in one another, support their communities, and commit to the long arc of a creative life.
The conversation will be moderated by Meredith McGriff, a folklorist, writer, and longtime documentarian of ceramic culture. Through her research and storytelling, Meredith has spent years chronicling the lives, traditions, and interconnected histories of potters throughout the Midwest and beyond. Her work explores the relationships between people, place, and creative practice, making her uniquely suited to guide a conversation centered on the communities that are created from a common interest in clay.
Following the conversation we’ll have time for a brief Q&A session. As the sun drops below the horizon we invite everyone to socialize, and enjoy live acoustic music and sip drinks all while taking in one of the most remarkable views in Northwest Indiana.
Our panelists have generously donated artwork to be raffled off to guests. Each ticket purchase will act as a single entry, and names will be drawn after the discussion - you may be going home with a piece of original ceramic art!
*Artists will also have special collections of their work for sale during the sunset social.
Seating is limited to 60 guests to ensure that we create an intimate and engaging experience. Advance registration is required - please register early!
Whether you’re a lifelong potter, an emerging maker, or simply someone who appreciates the power of creativity and community, we invite you to gather around the table for an evening of meaningful conversation and connection.
Your Evening Includes
Admission to the panel discussion
Audience Q&A with all participating artists
Beautiful Buffet-style dinner at the historic Indiana Dunes Pavilion
Cash Bar
Time to meet, connect, and converse with fellow artists and guests
Live acoustic music during the sunset social following the discussion
Raffle Entry for original works of art from panelists
Stunning sunset views overlooking Lake Michigan
Schedule
6:00 PM | Doors Open & Dinner Served
6:30 PM | Welcome
6:40 PM | Moderated Conversation
8:10 PM | Audience Q&A
8:40 PM | Live Acoustic Music, Networking/Sunset Social
10:00 PM | Evening Concludes
Dinner Menu
Mixed Green Salad
Mediterranean Herb Chicken with roasted tomatoes and artichoke hearts
*Dairy and Gluten Free
Penne Primavera Arrabbiata with seasonal vegetables
*Vegan
Garlic Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
Honey Maple Dijon Glazed Carrots
Light Dessert
The Pavillion is located on the lakeshore of the Indiana Dunes State Park. Ticket holders will receive an email a day or two before the event with a code to use at the gate for free entry to the park. In the summer months, there can be a line at the gate. To ensure you get to the 2nd floor of the pavilion on time, you may start entering the gate at 5pm with the code - the doors to the event will not open until 6pm.
Our hope is that you’ll leave inspired by the stories, encouraged by the possibilities, and reminded that behind every meaningful creative life is a community of people who helped shape that journey. We are really excited to see everyone and share in this experience!
Clay, Community + Place
A Special Evening Conversation at the Indiana Dunes
Please join us for an intimate evening of conversations, connection, and storytelling overlooking Lake Michigan at sunset.
As part of Beale Pottery’s annual Summer Camp Celebration, Clay, Community & Place brings together five distinguished ceramic artists - Dick Lehman, John Britt, Justin Rothshank, Heidi Fahrenbacher, and Delores Fortuna for a thoughtful discussion exploring the influence of place, the realities of sustaining a ceramics practice, and the role of community in shaping a life in clay.
Hosted within the historic Indiana Dunes Pavilion, guests will gather in one of the region’s most treasured landmarks. Originally constructed in 1929 and perched atop the dunes overlooking Lake Michigan, the Pavilion has welcomed generations of visitors seeking beauty, inspiration, and connection to this remarkable landscape. Its rich history and stunning setting provide the perfect backdrop for an evening centered on creativity and belonging.
Through stories of friendship, mentorship, collaboration, and decades of shared experiences in creating successful ceramic practices, our panelists will reflect on the relationships and environments that have supported their work and helped shape their artistic journeys. Together, we’ll explore what becomes possible when artists invest in one another, support their communities, and commit to the long arc of a creative life.
The conversation will be moderated by Meredith McGriff, a folklorist, writer, and longtime documentarian of ceramic culture. Through her research and storytelling, Meredith has spent years chronicling the lives, traditions, and interconnected histories of potters throughout the Midwest and beyond. Her work explores the relationships between people, place, and creative practice, making her uniquely suited to guide a conversation centered on the communities that are created from a common interest in clay.
Following the conversation we’ll have time for a brief Q&A session. As the sun drops below the horizon we invite everyone to socialize, and enjoy live acoustic music and sip drinks all while taking in one of the most remarkable views in Northwest Indiana.
Our panelists have generously donated artwork to be raffled off to guests. Each ticket purchase will act as a single entry, and names will be drawn after the discussion - you may be going home with a piece of original ceramic art!
*Artists will also have special collections of their work for sale during the sunset social.
Seating is limited to 60 guests to ensure that we create an intimate and engaging experience. Advance registration is required - please register early!
Whether you’re a lifelong potter, an emerging maker, or simply someone who appreciates the power of creativity and community, we invite you to gather around the table for an evening of meaningful conversation and connection.
Your Evening Includes
Admission to the panel discussion
Audience Q&A with all participating artists
Beautiful Buffet-style dinner at the historic Indiana Dunes Pavilion
Cash Bar
Time to meet, connect, and converse with fellow artists and guests
Live acoustic music during the sunset social following the discussion
Raffle Entry for original works of art from panelists
Stunning sunset views overlooking Lake Michigan
Schedule
6:00 PM | Doors Open & Dinner Served
6:30 PM | Welcome
6:40 PM | Moderated Conversation
8:10 PM | Audience Q&A
8:40 PM | Live Acoustic Music, Networking/Sunset Social
10:00 PM | Evening Concludes
Dinner Menu
Mixed Green Salad
Mediterranean Herb Chicken with roasted tomatoes and artichoke hearts
*Dairy and Gluten Free
Penne Primavera Arrabbiata with seasonal vegetables
*Vegan
Garlic Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
Honey Maple Dijon Glazed Carrots
Light Dessert
The Pavillion is located on the lakeshore of the Indiana Dunes State Park. Ticket holders will receive an email a day or two before the event with a code to use at the gate for free entry to the park. In the summer months, there can be a line at the gate. To ensure you get to the 2nd floor of the pavilion on time, you may start entering the gate at 5pm with the code - the doors to the event will not open until 6pm.
Our hope is that you’ll leave inspired by the stories, encouraged by the possibilities, and reminded that behind every meaningful creative life is a community of people who helped shape that journey. We are really excited to see everyone and share in this experience!
Image 1 of 12
Image 2 of 12
Image 3 of 12
Image 4 of 12
Image 5 of 12
Image 6 of 12
Image 7 of 12
Image 8 of 12
Image 9 of 12
Image 10 of 12
Image 11 of 12
Image 12 of 12
