As a major force in the evolution of contemporary ceramic art, it’s perhaps an irony of fate that Soldner, known for developing “American raku” and low temperature salt firing, never planned to be a potter. He was a pre-med student when he was drafted in World War II; after the war, Soldner turned to painting and received a BFA from Bluffton College in Ohio, and a MA in art education from the University of Colorado.

• Born: 1921
• Died: 2011
• Hometown: Summerfield, IL
• Education: Bluffton College

At 33, he went to the Los Angeles County Art Institute (now Otis College of Art and Design) to become Peter Voulkos’ first graduate student. For nearly 40 years Soldner taught at Scripps College and Claremont Graduate School in California. He divided his time between California and Colorado, the home of Anderson Ranch Arts Center, which he helped establish. His contributions to the ceramics world were numerous; besides building the Scripps Ceramics Annual invitational exhibition, he had almost 200 solo shows and gave hundreds of lectures and demonstrations. Paul Soldner received the American Craft Council’s Gold Medal in 2008.

Soldner’s Career and Legacy

Soldner was associated with the American ceramics movement, specializing in non-traditional forms and techniques. He is credited with the invention of new ceramic firing techniques, one of which has been dubbed “American raku,” and has become widely popular among contemporary ceramists.

Throughout his career, Paul Soldner taught at various institutions, including the Claremont Graduate School and Scripps College in California, where he influenced numerous students who went on to make their mark in the world of ceramics.

His innovative approaches to glazing and firing techniques, along with his willingness to experiment with unconventional methods, have left a lasting impact on the field of ceramics. Soldner’s work is celebrated for its fusion of artistic expression and technical innovation, and his legacy continues to influence contemporary ceramic artists.