The Marks Project - A Marks Dictionary of American Studio Pottery, 1946 to Present

Michael Frasca

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Frasca is known for both stoneware pottery fired in a wood kiln and for wood-ash glazed stoneware pottery fired in a reduction atmosphere in a gas kiln. Frasca frequently cuts, modifies and joins multiple wheel thrown forms to create a new vessel form. In 2022 he describes his wood-ash glaze as consisting of wood-ash primarily from oak, locus or cherry trees. The ash glaze is formulated combining wood-ash with local limestone and clays. Frasca single fired work to 2350 degrees Fahrenheit in a reduction atmosphere.[1]

Frasca and potter Richard Aerni worked at Spring Street Studio in the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio. They often collaborated in producing works. Spring Street Studio closed in 1987 when Aerni moved to the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York.

[1] “Michael Frasca.” Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival (April 7-10, 2022). https://www.mainstreetartsfest.org/artist/michael-frasca/

Public Collections

American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, California

Bibliography

Areni, Richard and Michael Frasca. “Urban Potters Odyssey: An Interim Report.” Studio Potter (1980). http://richardaerni.com/studio-potter-1980/

“Michael Frasca.” Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival (April 7-10, 2022). https://www.mainstreetartsfest.org/artist/michael-frasca/

Southern Highland Craft Guild

Typical Marks

1983

Covered Jar

Date: 2016

Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Carved, Glaze, Woodfire

E John Bullard Collection

Jar

Date: 1983

Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown

Photo: TMP

American Museum of Ceramic Art 2004.2.360, gift of the American Ceramic Society

Photo: TMP

1983

Citation: Beul, Jasmine. "The Marks Project." Last modified July 25, 2022. http://www.themarksproject.org:443/print/marks/frasca