Tim Wedel has worked in his Palisade Clay Studio for thirty years creating an impressive body of functional ceramics that has greatly impacted Western Colorado, the community of Palisade and Grand Junction. His home and studio are perched directly above the Colorado River surrounded by orchards and vineyards. He works within a small community of agriculturalists and artisans who value dedication and take pride in investing in their work. In the pieces that come from Tim's studio one can see every minute of maturity that has layered itself over years of exploration.
Tim's functional wares are designed in the tradition of community potters throughout the world. All pieces are made by hand and created to serve. Intended function dictates the form on these beautiful pieces, and durable glaze surfaces are indicative of the warm hues of the surrounding red rock cliffs and vistas.
Recent work has included large scale platters, jugs, and bowls investigating the textural glazes unique to this Palisade studio. These shino-style glazes are applied exceptionally thick and require a high degree of risk. Designs are universal and rendered simply on these traditional forms, while extreme temperatures mature glazes that randomly fracture and fuse. The natural clays produce colors, patterns, and textures that truly reflect the essence of Western Colorado and Utah. More information can be had by contacting the artist directly.
PALISADE
The first inhabitants of the Grand Valley were Ute Indians, followed by white settlers who began arriving in 1881.
By 1894, the first peach, pear, apple and grape orchards appeared in the area now known as the Vinelands. The soil was rich but rainfall was scarce, so barrels of water were hauled by wagons from the river to water young trees.
In 1913 the US Reclamation began construction of a system of irrigation canals to support agricultural efforts. Water from a 480 ft wide roller dam across the Colorado River diverts water into the 80 miles of irrigation canals which comprise the Highline Canal and Price and Stub Ditches.
The local climate is often referred to as "The Banana Belt." The mild climate and unique terrain create near-perfect peach and grape growing conditions.
