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Taking a quick break from his potter’s wheel, Mike Smieja explains that he was one of 12 Minnesota artists selected for the Artist in Residency program at the Minnesota State Fair. Mike will be there all 12 days demonstrating his craft in the Fine Arts Building. Staff photo Brian Larsen
Only 12 Minnesota artists are selected each year to demonstrate their craft at the 12-day Minnesota State Fair, and this year Grand Marais potter, Mike Smieja, was one of the chosen few.
“I consider it a great honor, and I can’t wait for the fair to begin,” Mike said with a broad smile.
“A different artist will be featured every day, but we will have to work from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the fair,” Mike said. “Of course, we will get breaks. But we will all put in long days.”
Mike learned the rudimentary parts of pottery in high school but then took a break as he went into the working world, owning and operating several businesses before the potter’s itch got to him. “I guess I have been at this on and off for the last twenty years, the last ten years full-time, said Mike.
Getting work hasn’t been a problem for Mike. “I have been putting too many hours in, working up to 14 hours a day. I read a book recently that explained that if you get too tired, you aren’t productive. So, I’ve scaled-down, and I’m getting nearly as much work done in eight hours as I used to when I worked extra-long shifts.”
The Grand Marais Dairy Queen Blizzard Eating contest is always a big hit — and gulp — with contestants. It’s also a fan favorite as groups cheer on their teams to see who can take home the coveted first place prize of $100 dollar’s in Dairy Queen gift certificates. Staff photo Brian Larsen
Mike works from his home in a cozy shed. It’s crowded, but he has soft light coming in from a window right above his wheel. It’s a window that looks out into dense green woods. It’s a serene spot, and Mike works the clay-like a master. No wasted moves. He makes it look easy as he quickly forms a bowl.
On the wall in the workshop to his left are some of the products he has recently made. There are mugs for The World’s Best Donuts, mugs for Birch Terrace Restaurant & Lounge, bowls and other commonly used items that are made to give the user a new experience.
Looking up from his potter’s wheel, Mike added one more thing.
“Neil Sherman (A Grand Marais painter) was picked to be an artist in residence at the State Fair. We talked, and he said it was a great experience. Long days or not, I’m really looking forward to taking part in the program,” said Mike, who then leaned over his spinning wheel and worked his magic on brown clay that was quickly becoming a bowl.
No one was happier than Kyson Jacobsen of Lutsen when the crowd voted his puppy, Sheena, champion of the 2021 Cutest Puppy Contest. Staff photo Brian Larsen
If you want to visit with Mike while he is at the fair, he will be in the Fine Arts Building. The Minnesota State Fair runs from August 26 to September 6, 2021.
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