press release Archives

MINNESOTA POTTERY STUDIO & ART GALLERY TO BE HIGHLIGHTED NATIONALLY DURING SMALL BUSINESS WEEK, SEPTEMBER 13-15, 2021

September 13, 2021 By Morgan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 13, 2021

CONTACT: Morgan Baum

[email protected]

320-587-2599 office; 512-809-7771 cell

MINNESOTA POTTERY STUDIO & ART GALLERY TO BE HIGHLIGHTED NATIONALLY

DURING SMALL BUSINESS WEEK, SEPTEMBER 13-15, 2021

Hutchinson, MN — The Clay Coyote Gallery & Pottery has been selected as one of 10 businesses from across the country (and the only one in the Midwest) to be highlighted during the Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week Virtual Summit, taking place September 13-15, 2021.

This year’s Summit will focus on the resilience of America’s entrepreneurs and the renewal of the small business economy as they build back from the economic crisis brought on by a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.

In March of 2020, like many other small businesses, the Clay Coyote had to cease production and send their potters home. With the help of funds from the CARES Act, support from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and local SBA partners, the Clay Coyote was able to continue to pay their employees even when they couldn’t come to work.

Now, the potters are back at their wheels, the business is open in a new, larger space, and the staff has grown.The Clay Coyote’s success story showcases how small businesses are not alone, and when crisis hits, there is a nationwide network of support to tap. This small, central Minnesota pottery studio and art gallery leveraged all of these resources and came out stronger.

Owner, Morgan Baum shares, “We’re thrilled to be selected. During the pandemic there have been many moments where we didn’t know if we would make it. Like so many others, we need revenue coming in so that we can keep operating, and the pandemic created new threats that we had never considered. Because of the funding and support from the SBA, we were able to keep the lights on and our employees paid, and that peace of mind allowed us to get creative and launch new products and customer engagement initiatives that have helped us thrive over the last year.”

There are over 526,000 small businesses in Minnesota. Nationwide, more than half of all Americans either own or work for a small business, which creates nearly two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.

“This year more than ever, we’re excited to honor entrepreneurs and small business owners during Small Business Week for their grit and perseverance. These traits shone brightly through the pandemic’s challenging times,” said Brian McDonald, SBA’s Minnesota district director. “The resilience of small businesses like Clay Coyote continues to help Minnesota’s economy and our communities bounce back.”

Learn more about the National Small Business Week Virtual Summit hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and join the conversation at https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week. Attendance is free and small businesses can learn new strategies, meet other entrepreneurs, and chat with industry experts.

ABOUT THE CLAY COYOTE

For decades, the Clay Coyote family has been making quality, handcrafted, functional pottery in central Minnesota. Second-generation owners, Morgan Baum and her husband Ian, continue to carry on the family legacy making art you can cook with. Their specialty line of Flameware pottery is designed to go directly on the stovetop or grill. The Clay Coyote Studio is also home to a small business incubator for emerging ceramic artists. The Clay Coyote Gallery, open five days a week in downtown Hutchison, carries handmade ceramic, wood, fiber, metal, and jewelry artisans from across North America. More information available at www.claycoyote.com.

Press Release: Prominent Minnesota Potter Featured at MN Pottery Festival Weekend of Demonstrations and Hands-on Clay Activities

July 8, 2019 By Morgan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2019

CONTACT:
Morgan Baum or Betsy Price
[email protected] | (320) 587-2599

PROMINENT MINNESOTA POTTER FEATURED AT MN POTTERY FESTIVAL

WEEKEND OF DEMONSTRATIONS AND HANDS-ON CLAY ACTIVITIES

HUTCHINSON, MN — Thirty-five potters from across North America will be on display at the 8th annual Minnesota Pottery Festival in Hutchinson, MN the weekend of July 27th and 28th.

The 2019 Featured Potter is Peter Jadoonath from Shafer, Minnesota. Peter says, “drawing and animation is the foundation of my art making life. I am quite shy at my core and drawing is a method for me to interpret the world and my life experiences. I enjoy the challenge of making pottery shapes that act as a vehicle for me to express these ideas.” When asked what keeps him going he says, “it’s not a single act of inspiration, but more so just the act of going out to the studio and working. Although, I am inspired by things that are often quiet and consistent within daily life. Things such as manhole covers, cryptid creatures, music, tools, textiles, texture, traversing, leverage, labor, language, learning, hair styles, humor, and horizon lines.” Peter’s pottery is made on a treadle wheel, carved, and fired in a gas kiln at his St. Croix Valley studio.

Also at this year’s Festival are 21 additional Minnesota potters and 13 from other states as far away as North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas. The festival welcomes potters attending for the first time including: Deborah Barce, Victoria, MN; George Blair, New Albin, IA; Joel Froehle, Northfield, MN; Chad Jerzak, Nowthen, MN; JD Jorgenson, Kimball, MN; Megan Mitchell, Kimball, MN; Alexa McAdams, Minneapolis, MN; and David Swenson, Minneapolis, MN.

Each year the Festival promotes an Emerging Artist that is in the beginning of their clay career. Jessica Gotkin, Minnetonka received the honor, and has her entry fees waived. Jessica graduated in 2015 with a BA in Art (with an emphasis in ceramics) from the University of Minnesota. For the past few years she has been heavily focused on her pottery and developing her voice within the art and crafting of the material. Jessica said, “I am honored and thrilled to be a part of this amazing event.”

The Festival provides an excellent day trip for clay-lovers, families, and collectors. Entrance and parking are free, there is a complimentary golf cart shuttle available and many dedicated handicap parking spaces. The two days are filled with on-site raku firing, Pottery Olympic competitions, ceramic technique demonstrations, and a Kids’ Station where children of all ages can get their hands dirty. On-site we offer three complimentary electric vehicle charging stations (one universal and two Tesla).

Food and beverages for sale provided by area favorites: Crow River Winery and Lola’s of New Ulm.

The Minnesota Pottery Festival takes place on the grounds of the Clay Coyote Gallery & Pottery, just one hour West of the Twin Cities. The backdrop includes thirty acres of conservation prairie land, two ponds, half-mile trails, and beautiful Todd Lake in the distance.

The Minnesota Pottery Festival is a nonprofit organization, it’s mission is to provide a venue for quality clay artists to educate and engage with an increasingly knowledgeable public by raising the appreciation and understanding of pottery to help broaden the depth and breadth of ceramic arts in Minnesota.

This activity is made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC) thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. The Minnesota Pottery Festival Board would also like to thank our generous supporters: Continental Clay Company, Crow River Winery, Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, Minnesota Clay Company, Smith-Sharpe Fire Brick Supply, Shimpo Ceramics, and all of our generous individual donors and volunteers.

More information and full list of artists available at www.mnpotteryfestival.com.

###

Press Release: Hutchinson Company Selected by MN Super Bowl Host Committee For Business Connect Resource Guide

June 26, 2017 By Morgan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2017

CONTACT
Morgan Baum
[email protected] | (320) 587-2599

HUTCHINSON COMPANY SELECTED BY MN SUPER BOWL HOST COMMITTEE
FOR BUSINESS CONNECT RESOURCE GUIDE

HUTCHINSON, MN — The Clay Coyote Gallery and Pottery was recently selected by the MN Super Bowl Host Committee to be included in the Super Bowl 52 Business Connect Resource Guide.

More than 1,000 Minnesota companies participated in a series of workshops, networking events, and “pitch days” to showcase their unique products and services. Last week, the MN Super Bowl Host Committee narrowed the field to 420 businesses to include in the Resource Guide. Categories included Entertainment, Equipment Rentals, Promotional Items, Decorations, Food & Catering, Audio Visual, Beverages, and more. The Clay Coyote is the only handmade one-of-a-kind pottery company listed in the Resource Guide.

Earlier this year, the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce and Tourism became aware of the opportunity for local Minnesota businesses to put their products and services in front of the MN Super Bowl Host Committee. They shared the opportunity with Hutchinson companies and the Clay Coyote decided to go for it.

In May, the Clay Coyote team had the opportunity to pitch their “ultimate tailgating tool,” the Clay Coyote Flameware Grill Basket to the NFL and the MN Super Bowl Host Committee. The grill baskets are made from Clay Coyote Flameware, a special type of pottery that goes directly on a stove top or over a grill. Most pottery cannot go on direct heat, in fact across the United States only three other potters market pottery that can do this and the Clay Coyote is the only one who makes grill basket out of clay.

What happens next? Morgan Baum, Clay Coyote Owner and CEO, says “Who knows, we’re game for anything. The Business Connect Resource Guide is the gateway to so many opportunities. While we hope that the MN Super Bowl Host Committee and their partners want to order a bunch of commemorative grill baskets, they may reach out with a totally different request. Whatever the ask, we’re ready to bring our A-game.”

This Fall, the Clay Coyote is planning a Super September event that will feature their Grill Baskets and other fun tailgating ideas. Stay tuned to www.claycoyote.com and to the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce and Tourism site to learn more about the event.

Business Connect Resource Guide

According the the MN Super Bowl Host Committee, “The Business Connect Resource Guide is a comprehensive guide for local, diverse procurement activities surrounding Super Bowl LII. Included in the Resource Guide are selected business listings encompassing a wide variety of products and services. Each business that is listed has been vetted and qualified by Business Connect staff to ensure adequate ability, capacity and knowledge to meet the needs of Super Bowl LII stakeholders; including the NFL, Host Committee and their partners and contractors.”

###