The Reboli Center for Art and History is pleased to announce Ryan Gangwish as our Feature Artisan of the Month for the month of September, 2026! Ceramic artist Ryan Gangwish discovered clay after earning a degree in electrical engineering, finding in ceramics a unique balance of technical problem solving, material experimentation, and hands-on craftsmanship. Based in East Northport, New York, Gangwish has since developed a practice that embraces every stage of the ceramic process, from refining forms and clay bodies to exploring glaze chemistry, surface texture, and firing techniques.
Gangwish is particularly drawn to atmospheric firing methods, including wood and soda firing, where flame, ash, vapor, and kiln atmosphere interact to produce surfaces that cannot be fully planned or repeated. Each firing becomes a collaboration between artist, material, and kiln, resulting in work that records the unique conditions of its creation. This ongoing exploration of process has become a defining element of his work.
In recognition of his growing contributions to the field, Gangwish was named a 2026 Long Island Grants for the Arts Artist Fellow and was awarded the 2025 Bruce Dehnert Wood Firing Scholarship from the Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts. Through these opportunities, he continues to expand his knowledge of atmospheric firing while developing a body of functional ceramics that celebrates both craftsmanship and daily use.
For Gangwish, the beauty of ceramics lies not only in the finished object but in the traces of its making. "I am particularly drawn to atmospheric firing methods because each piece records the unique conditions of its firing and its position in the kiln," he explains. "Flame, ash, vapor, and glaze move across the surface, creating results that cannot be completely planned or repeated." Inspired by the balance between structure and unpredictability found in nature, he embraces the handmade qualities that remain visible in each finished piece, preserving the memory of movement and touch.
Gangwish primarily creates functional pottery because he values the relationship that develops between a handmade object and the person who uses it. Whether drinking coffee from a favorite mug, serving a meal from a bowl, or reaching into a jar, he believes these everyday interactions allow people to form lasting connections with the objects in their lives. Through subtle variations in form, texture, and glaze, his work continues to reveal new details over time, inviting users to appreciate not only the finished piece but also the materials, process, and human presence behind its creation.
We are honored to feature Ryan Gangwish as our Artisan of the Month, showcasing a selection of his beautifully crafted functional ceramics in our Design Shop, where they are available for viewing and purchase through the month of September, 2026!