George Johnson
I met Jeff Kleckner in 1982 at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Mitchell Wolchuk, an undergraduate student of mine at Alfred, brought me to Cedar Crest. William Clark was the ceramic professor there and was Jeff Kleckners’s first instructor. Jeff subsequently worked in Bill’s Studio /chicken coop in East Texas, Pennsylvania. Jeff came to Cedar Crest and we hit it off quickly – subsequently we went to “Beers of the World” for afternoon recreation... Many of the individuals through time and space became good friends due to his unusual insight, quirky sense of humor, and intellectual process.
Jeff was a typical Ceramic Artist: independent, clear about his own path, and a clarity in what was important and what might be a pastiche. Jeff evoked compassion, commitment to excellence, and the necessity of craftsmanship. Mr. Kleckner revered ceramics, ceramic history and individual personal vision.
I worked in Jeff’s Bethlehem, Pennsylvania studio (805 Broadway), extensively. Jeff was invited to my house for Christmas holidays and parties. He always attended. In retrospect, in the past few months I have traveled multiple times to Allentown/Bethlehem and always feel the absence of his presence – there is a void.
Jeff was a real, honest person who did not compromise in relation to his profession – and any individual who had the privilege of his company was fortunate.
P.S. He revered Ogata Kenzan – Japanese Master. Say no more.
George Johnson
December 10, 2020
I met Jeff Kleckner in 1982 at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Mitchell Wolchuk, an undergraduate student of mine at Alfred, brought me to Cedar Crest. William Clark was the ceramic professor there and was Jeff Kleckners’s first instructor. Jeff subsequently worked in Bill’s Studio /chicken coop in East Texas, Pennsylvania. Jeff came to Cedar Crest and we hit it off quickly – subsequently we went to “Beers of the World” for afternoon recreation... Many of the individuals through time and space became good friends due to his unusual insight, quirky sense of humor, and intellectual process.
Jeff was a typical Ceramic Artist: independent, clear about his own path, and a clarity in what was important and what might be a pastiche. Jeff evoked compassion, commitment to excellence, and the necessity of craftsmanship. Mr. Kleckner revered ceramics, ceramic history and individual personal vision.
I worked in Jeff’s Bethlehem, Pennsylvania studio (805 Broadway), extensively. Jeff was invited to my house for Christmas holidays and parties. He always attended. In retrospect, in the past few months I have traveled multiple times to Allentown/Bethlehem and always feel the absence of his presence – there is a void.
Jeff was a real, honest person who did not compromise in relation to his profession – and any individual who had the privilege of his company was fortunate.
P.S. He revered Ogata Kenzan – Japanese Master. Say no more.
George Johnson
December 10, 2020