Dan Anderson, Professor Emeritus, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville (SIUE)
My first recollection of my good friend and former SIUE grad student, Jeff Kleckner, was when we met at Penland School. Jeff was one of my ‘Upstairs’ Assistants in ceramics. During the 2-week Penland session both of my assistants showed slides of their clay work in the glaze room. One particular colorful pot of Jeff’s on the projection screen spurred me on to ask Jeff if the pot was fired to Cone 10? Jeff replied with a straight face, “Did you say Bowling Pin?”
I write the above not to only because of my clear recollection of his response - but also, and more importantly, for my fondness for the sense of humor Jeff possessed. Someone, I can’t remember who, described Jeff as a combination of the comedian, Jerry Lewis and the famous Japanese potter, Shoji Hamada. I think that characterization is spot on. Going into Jeff’s graduate studio on an almost daily basis was always a pleasant experience for me. His warmth and humanness were tactile. He lapped up any advice and criticism that I offered him. It was never in one ear and out the other. His skill and adeptness in creating high temperature pottery, particularly at the glazing stage, was remarkable. We are fortunate to own many of Jeff’s pots, that Caroline and I use on a daily basis. The pots of Jeff’s around our kitchen and house will be a welcomed reminder when weighed against his untimely, early death.
For those of you reading this, I and others, including the current head of ceramics at SIUE, Joe Page, have established a scholarship in Jeff’s memory at the SIUE Foundation.
Dan Anderson
December 20, 2020
If you are moved to and capable of donating to the scholarship, the account is:
Ceramics Development Fund #4013 (write this on the memo line of your check)
SIUE Foundation
30 North Circle Drive
SIU-Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL 62026
Or submit to the SIUE Foundation online:
My first recollection of my good friend and former SIUE grad student, Jeff Kleckner, was when we met at Penland School. Jeff was one of my ‘Upstairs’ Assistants in ceramics. During the 2-week Penland session both of my assistants showed slides of their clay work in the glaze room. One particular colorful pot of Jeff’s on the projection screen spurred me on to ask Jeff if the pot was fired to Cone 10? Jeff replied with a straight face, “Did you say Bowling Pin?”
I write the above not to only because of my clear recollection of his response - but also, and more importantly, for my fondness for the sense of humor Jeff possessed. Someone, I can’t remember who, described Jeff as a combination of the comedian, Jerry Lewis and the famous Japanese potter, Shoji Hamada. I think that characterization is spot on. Going into Jeff’s graduate studio on an almost daily basis was always a pleasant experience for me. His warmth and humanness were tactile. He lapped up any advice and criticism that I offered him. It was never in one ear and out the other. His skill and adeptness in creating high temperature pottery, particularly at the glazing stage, was remarkable. We are fortunate to own many of Jeff’s pots, that Caroline and I use on a daily basis. The pots of Jeff’s around our kitchen and house will be a welcomed reminder when weighed against his untimely, early death.
For those of you reading this, I and others, including the current head of ceramics at SIUE, Joe Page, have established a scholarship in Jeff’s memory at the SIUE Foundation.
Dan Anderson
December 20, 2020
If you are moved to and capable of donating to the scholarship, the account is:
Ceramics Development Fund #4013 (write this on the memo line of your check)
SIUE Foundation
30 North Circle Drive
SIU-Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL 62026
Or submit to the SIUE Foundation online:
- Anyone who wishes to make an online contribution should go to: https://www.siue.edu/give/ and click the Give Online Now! button in the lower left corner of the page.
- Fill out the guest donor content on the left of the page for Step 1.
- When you get to Step 2, click the red Fund Options box and enter the Fund Number 4013 in the search.
- Select the Fund Ceramics Development Program. It will be the fifth entry down and the only one with Select next to it. In the additional information box below it, add in honor of Jeff Kleckner.
- From there, add your payment information and you’re done!