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1977 Born Illinois
EDUCATION
— BS K-12 Art Education, University of Wisconsin Madison, Wisconsin
PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE
2015— Owner/ CEO, SwitchLift, Kalispell, Montana
2008— Owner/ CEO, Carlburg Pottery, Kalispell, Montana
2007–2008 Glaze Technician, Whitefish Pottery, Whitefish, Montana
2004–2005 Defense Contractor, United States Army
2000-2004 Officer, Armor Branch, United States Army
BIOGRAPHY
Tim Carlburg is best known for creating handmade beer growlers, flasks, and moonshine jugs. He also creates functional pottery and sculptural forms. Carlburg’s signature beer growlers have been sought after by micro-breweries, bars, home-brewers and collectors worldwide. The Artist’s work is typically fired in an electric kiln, and on occasion – wood fired collaboratively with a small group of potters in Northwestern Montana. Simple glazes, hand painting, image transfers and sculpted vessels vary depending on the forms and commission. Carlburg is aesthetically drawn to early American pottery.
In addition to his creations in clay, Carlburg invented the SwitchLift: the world’s first pottery-specific ergonomic lift system – designed to elevate or lower potter's wheels of different makes and models on demand with a 72 inch range. Carlburg was motivated to create the SwitchLift due to lower back issues both he, and many potter's face over decades of practice.
Carlburg was profiled on 2/25/2016 by Paul Blais for episode #191 of The Potter's Cast. Carlburg discusses his personal work and the SwitchLift.
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Ravalli County Museum, Hamilton, Montana
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ahearn, Brenda. “Carlburg Pottery.” Flathead Business Journal: Daily Interlake Newspaper, September 14, 2015.
Devlin, Vince. “Throwing Growlers: Kalispell Potter Puts Artistry First.” The Missoulan, March 2, 2014. Fredrickson, Erika. “Sudsy Sculptures: Flathead Ceramicist Creates Custom Growlers.” The Missoula Independent, April 29, 2010.
“Get Up, Stand Up.” Pottery Making Illustrated (July/August 2016).
Reece, Meyers. “Homegrown Growlers: Kalispell Potter Spins Custom Beer-drinking Jugs.” The Flathead Beacon, May 14, 2010.
Tepas, Tom, “Tim Carlburg: Kalispell Potter Spins Custom Growlers and Flasks,” Flathead Living Magazine, December 16, 2013, http://flatheadliving.com/2013/12/16/profile-tim-carlburg/
Tostanoski, Michaelann. Digital Decals for the Ceramic Artist. Mud Wizard Press, 2014.
Citation: Jeff Kuratnick. "The Marks Project." Last modified June 21, 2023. http://www.themarksproject.org/marks/carlburg