Collection: Kurt Brian Webb

Palatine, IL

Kurt Brian Webb’s goal to pursue ceramics, made over forty years ago, had nothing to do with sales, notoriety, or making work that followed the latest trends. His goal then and now, centers around education, experience, people, travel, and philanthropy. Webb’s eclectic unassuming art reflects the marriage and outcome of these lifelong pursuits. Webb, a fervent believer in public school education, attended kindergarten through university level in Illinois, Illinois State University (Normal), University of Delaware (Newark), and East Tennessee State University (Johnson City), culminating with BFA, BS, MEd, and MFA degrees. Webb’s artistic experiences include assistantships and residencies at the Archie Bray Foundation (Helena, MT), Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts (Gaitlinburg, TN), Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity (Alberta, Canada), Northern Clay Center (Minneapolis), Penland School of Craft (NC), Ragdale Foundation (Lake Forest, IL), and universities in Australia.  Webb has benefited greatly from meeting people through art-related travel, living abroad, and as an educator in public schools for over thirty years teaching mechanical drafting and art most notably for English learners and individuals with disabilities. Webb has traveled throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. He apprenticed in Japan to a traditional master craftsman of woodfired Oribe pottery. Knowing the power of philanthropy, even as a small gesture, Webb donates 100% of his profits from the sales of his ceramics to social justice-centered non-profit organizations of his choice.