Nick DeVries Bio
Nick DeVries is a professional ceramic artist and arts educator based in the Brainerd Lakes area of Minnesota, where he maintains his home studio. Deeply engaged in the technical intricacies of clay, he creates work characterized by a profound appreciation for glaze chemistry, atmospheric firing, and the exploration of form and texture. Nick earned his Bachelor of Arts in Art in 2001 from St. John’s University, with concentrations in painting and ceramics. He then spent nearly a decade refining his technical precision as a production potter before transitioning into a full-time studio practice in 2011. Over the course of his career, his work has gained significant recognition, supported in part by an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board in 2018. A recent highlight of Nick’s career occurred in 2025, when he was chosen as the juror and exhibiting artist for the It’s Only Clay national juried exhibition at the Watermark Art Center in Bemidji, Minnesota. Nick’s work is represented by nationally recognized galleries, including AKAR, Radius Gallery, and Schaller Gallery. Alongside his studio practice, he shares his technical expertise through regular educational workshops and one-on-one mentorship. Deeply committed to his community, Nick actively champions his local cultural landscape through dedicated volunteer work and board service for regional non-profits, including The Crossing Arts Alliance and the Legacy Chorale. For Nick, the intentional act of making pottery is intrinsically tied to building community, ensuring that the arts remain a vital, connecting force in Central Minnesota and beyond.