Family of artists shares skills

Libby James
Correspondent

"I will not be an artist when I grow up," young Steve Dietemann insisted, stomping his feet for emphasis.

It was to no avail, however. Like his grandfather, father, mother and sister, Steve Dietemann turned out to be an artist after all.

But these days, he is so busy with his job as arts, crafts and pottery coordinator for the Fort Collins Recreation Department that he has little time to devote to his own projects. From his office at the senior center, he oversees woodworking, pottery, ceramics and a wide range of arts and crafts programs; manages a staff of 40 instructors and more than 15 volunteers; and writes grants to keep programs afloat.

Now and then he finds time to get over to the 2,700-square-foot building that houses the Pottery Studio at 1541 W. Oak St. on the northwest corner of City Park. He comes to consult with studio supervisor Pat Dietemann, who was hired 22 years ago to teach a single class. At that time Steve was working on a degree in art and education at Colorado State University, and it took some persuasion to get his mom to fill in when he needed a teacher.

It didn't take long for Pat to become hooked. She put less effort into her graphic design business and has been at the studio ever since. After graduation, Steve pursued his MFA at the University of Wyoming in Laramie and taught at Central Wyoming College in Riverton before returning to Fort Collins. Once back home, he taught at the Pottery Studio until he moved into his present position in 1995.

"We're big on growth," said Pat, who has seen the program expand over the years. The limited glazes they once offered have become a selection of more than 40, and the six wheels used in the early days have become more than four times that number. Students can choose from 13 kinds of clay and can use a wide selection of tools and textured items to stimulate their imaginations as they work.

The studio is open between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday though Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Wheel and hand-building classes for adults are offered on four levels from beginner to advanced. There's an introductory pottery sampler class, a raku workshop and a pottery lab for current students. A ceramic sculpture class and a special Christmas pottery class are also offered.

The Pottery Studio sponsors demonstrations by well-known potters, and on July 4 it has a huge "seconds" sale fund-raiser open to the public. The studio also conducts demonstrations for special occasions such as Pioneer Days and accommodates classes for Elderhaus, Scouts and Larimer County Mental Health clients. They even do birthday parties.

From two classes 20 years ago, the children's program has grown to offer wheel and hand-building classes for 6- to 9-year-olds and 10- to 12-year-olds. The Parent and Tot Mud classes are for children as young as 3 who attend and work with their parents.

In November, parents and tots worked together on Christmas scenes. First they cut and shaped a clay platform, then hand-built fireplaces, stockings, Christmas trees and stars to create a scene. Teacher Jude Varnum was there to help, making suggestions and rolling out clay, but allowing the children's imaginations to guide their work. Youth classes are also available for teens 13 to 17, and special parent-teen classes for ages 10-17 are offered on Friday evenings.

Recent grants from the El Pomar Foundation and the Colorado Association of the Arts (matched by the city of Fort Collins) are designated to improve youth programs through the purchase of equipment, supplies and tools. The grants, which total $8,030, will also provide funding for teachers' salaries and outreach programs, an electric kiln and a pug mill to process clay.

While building expansion is on Pat's long-term wish list, she recognizes the ideal location and special nature of the existing building. A large shed, recently upgraded behind the building, houses clay and glazes in a temperature controlled atmosphere, along with a grinder and sprayer. Chemicals are meticulously arranged on shelves, which Steve rescued from recycling and built.

Constructed in 1923, the building once provided living quarters for a caretaker, a store, kitchen and laundry for small cabins located near Sheldon Lake at City Park. Today, two classrooms, an office and work area on the main floor are supplemented by an overflow class and workroom and several small work areas on the second floor.

Everywhere possible there are shelves and racks which hold pots waiting to be fired in the gas or electric kilns. There's also an outside area for raku firings. Kiln firings are handled by teachers only.

Pat emphasizes the recreational and educational goals of the pottery studio. "We are not a production studio," she explains. "That doesn't mean that students cannot offer their work for sale, only that firing of large numbers of similar items is not allowed."

About half the students enrolled are beginners and the other half are returning students. Varnum took classes for 20 years before she began teaching this fall.

Mellow and friendly, Pat and Steve obviously enjoy their working relationship. Neither takes advantage of the fact that they are mother and son. "We sometimes have informal staff meetings over Sunday dinner," Pat said.

"It saves on paperwork," Steve adds, noting that his mom is "the glue" that holds the Pottery Studio together.

Rounding out the family of artists are Dave Dietemann, now retired, long-time art professor at CSU, who is well known for his colorful abstracts and landscape paintings; and Crista, a local printmaker. The family has had several four-person shows together over the years.

Perhaps Steve Dietemann didn't really have a choice. For him, and for his mother, being able to pursue and promote the creation of pottery suits them well.