"Clay Artist"
Ira Jon Burhans
Ira Jon Burhans received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1980. Ira’s concentration was in ceramic art with a minor in sculpture. During this period he served an internship at Clayworks Studio Workshop in New York City.
Ira studied the numerous forms of ceramics, functional as well as sculptural and also explored many of the different firing processes that transform the basic raw materials used by a ceramic artist into their final forms. Currently, Ira produces a wide variety of unique functional wheel thrown stoneware pottery.
The result of three decades of hard work in his Palm Harbor, Florida studio has culminated in national recognition for his pottery. His work is currently represented in over 100 galleries nationally and has been sold as far away as the Virgin Islands and Guam.
Ira along with his wife Barbara have owned and operated a gallery called Clay and Paper Gallery of Art in Dunedin Florida. Clay and Paper Gallery of Art is recognized in the Tampa Bay area for exclusively representing American Artist and Crafts persons both locally and nationally known.

"I strive to explore new forms and glazes in stoneware pottery...
Because stoneware pottery can be vitreous without a glaze, this allows me the latitude to create more aggressive shapes and carvings.
This results in the ability to make pots that have aesthetic curves and textures. Also, the glazes I am currently working with will react to the differences in the shape and texture of the pot. As a result each pot has unique variations in both color and texture giving my pottery a one of a kind look

      The curled handles and carved surfaces are influenced by the textures of water, falling water, curling waves and patterns in the sand which moving water creates. My teapots and pitchers with bird like spouts are reminiscent of a spout found on an old watering can and have evolved to be more bird like.

      My pottery is primarily functional. It can be used in the oven, microwave and washed in a dishwasher. I feel this is important because I want my pottery to become part of your everyday life."

In addition to the time spent in his own creative endeavors, Ira Burhans also serves as an instructor of ceramics at the Dunedin Fine Arts and Cultural Center, Dunedin, Florida since January 1981.