Still Mountain Center is a not-for-profit organization devoted to fostering artistic exchange between the United States and Asia. Our focus is to communicate the value and meaning of working with clay, wood and other materials basic to the natural environment.

Read about the symbol of Still Mountain Center, the petroglyph. We're also assembling a collection of articles about SMC.

We are creating an artistic environment, work ethic and ethical paradigm that can be communicated to the America artist and the community by means of integration of the work ethic, aesthetics, techniques and life sytle of the Japanese potter and woodwork with our western tradition.

Still Mountain Center embraces these goals through three major interrelated programs:

• Artist in Residence
• Internship Program
• Community outreach programs, including children's programs & other educational events

Who We Are

Joy Brown is a recognized and accomplished sculptor and ceramic artist who received her BFA from Echerd College in 1972. She apprenticed with Toshio Ichino of Tamba and Shigeyoshi Morioka of Wakayama from 1974 to 1978.

Al McClain is a master woodworker whose mentors include George Nakashima, Isamu Noguchi and Sam Maloof. He has accomplished extensive study and practice in architectural woodwork and furniture since 1971. We are guided by our Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and others.

Artist in Residence

Once every two years, we invite and host an Asian ceramic or wood artisan to work at our studios in Kent, CT, to create workshops for professional ceramic and woodworking artists and organize exhibitions of the visiting artist's work. Past Artists-in-Residence include, Japanese master potter Shigeyoshi (1999)

Community Outreach

Still Mountain Center hosts regular events for groups of adults, art students and children to tour residential studios. It presents slide presentations and workshops about Japanese techniques, aesthetics, and the life of the Japanese apprentice. SMC sponsors a educational program for children including demonstrations, workshops, and other events for children.

It co-sponsors other artistic endeavors such as the raising of $100,000 through grants and individual donations for the co-sponsoring of a 55 minute film featuring recognized contemporary American potter, From the Inside: The Work of Karen Karnes.

Facilities

With the help of friends and neighbors, we are developing more facilities, such as our new barn to be the home for events, workshops and other projects, and our lovely new post-and-beam retreat house.