Press
The Studio Potter Vol. 42, No. 2
Dining with Makers
The kitchen door swings open to reveal arms carrying handmade vessels presenting a thoughtful arrangement of food. As the plates are set on the table, an aroma fills the restaurant. Before the clink of utensils begins, the diners’ eyes absorb the chef’s composition of food placed within a vessel in front of them. Guests lift the food to their mouths to taste the layers of flavor and texture. The restaurant resonates with awareness in this moment: handmade tableware meets the finest cuisine.
Edible Manhattan
Meet Your Maker: Riverpark Pairs With Ceramic and Glass Artists to Create a ‘Thoughtful Setting’
A dish for beet sorbet made by ceramicist Nick Moen. Credit: Anthony Harden of Alt Media Pros
As working artists, Adams and Moen also view these dinners as an unconventional exhibition of their functional pieces. According to Moen, “an effective theater for showcasing the performance of handmade tableware is a restaurant. The event becomes an orchestrated dining experience, involving the senses more fully than would a standard gallery showcase.” For example, instead of just imagining how that hand-blown goblet might transform your evening glass of wine, you can take it for a ride to decide for yourself.
Martha Stewart : American Made
Nominated for American Made
American Craft Magazine - Feb/March 2014
Nick Moen and Mimi McPartlan
A dreamy, cloud-like porcelain form cradles a cherry cutting board, complete with porcelain knife. Moen and McPartlan developed the table-ready cutting and serving piece in Moen’s studio in Asheville, North Carolina.
Mountain Xpress
Collaborative dinner blends art, food and community
photo by Mark-Ellis Bennett
An artistic collaboration in the River Arts District recently pulled together an unparalleled performance piece, bringing together vitreous, ceramic and culinary artists and a blacksmith to present a five-course theme dinner titled Pairing Elements at The Bull and Beggar restaurant. Co-event coordinator and curator Nick Moen said nothing like this has ever been previously accomplished in the River Arts District.
West Seventh Freelance - Winter Wares and Pairing Pottery @ Sapor: Ceramic Arts To Have AND To Hold
Photo by Christine Jacox
An evening of ceramic and glass art showcased by the fine cuisine of Sapor Cafe & Wine Bar was the perfect prelude to Winter Wares, a companion event held at Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN, December 13th.
Winter Wares provided a festive, personal venue in which supporters, collectors, visitors and fellow artists could browse and meet-and-greet. The work of ceramic artists, Nick DeVries, Victoria Dawes, Will Dix, Adam Gruetzmacher, Mike Helke, Joe Kraft, Nick Moen, Erin Paradis, David Swenson and Jason Trebs was on display. Guests took full advantage of the ‘pottery dessert formal’ theme, purchasing items in which to enjoy the desserts and beverages provided.
Mountain Xpress
Asheville artists organize a dinner/art show hybrid at Knife & Fork
Photo by Wes Stitt
When Nick Moen goes out to eat, he notices something most diners probably overlook.
“I like going to The Admiral,” he says. “It's a great restaurant, and as soon as you walk in, you see the stacks of porcelain plates there, and I think about that every time.”
Moen is a resident artist at Odyssey Clayworks in the River Arts District. He mostly makes functional pottery — plates, mugs, bowls and the like. But he noticed there's something of a disconnect between the gallery, where he sells his wares, and the table, where they're used.