We are so excited to introduce this hands-on workshop with our local Artisan (and nationally renown- Elizabeth Showachert (Feb 28th and March 7th) introduces students to sgraffito techniques through the creation of functional 6 x 6 inch ceramic tile trivets.
Students will complete two tiles, each exploring a different approach to sgraffito:
- Tile One: Traditional black-and-white sgraffito imagery
- Tile Two: A more painterly approach using colored underglazes applied like a paint palette
The workshop emphasizes both technical skill-building and creative exploration as participants learn about underglazing, carving, and layering of colors. Finished tiles will be fired, glazed, and returned to students ready for functional use or display.
About the Artist: Elizabeth Showachert
I launched this practice in 2015 to share the tools I was designing and using in my own work. As an artist, I wanted tools that were both functional and inspiring—something that didn’t exist in mass production.
Over many years of traveling throughout Asia, I developed a deep respect for the traditional tools and materials used in Chinese and Japanese painting. Time spent in Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, and China shaped how I think about rhythm, brushwork, and the role of the tool in artistic expression.
The handmade brushes and papers I encountered—particularly in the context of Sumi-e and calligraphy—sparked a lifelong fascination with intentional mark-making. That influence remains at the heart of everything I make.
🛠️ A Contemporary Approach to Traditional Tools
While my roots are in brushmaking, I also design encaustic, cold wax tools, and reductive mark-making instruments for mixed media artists. Each item is tested in my own studio to ensure performance, balance, and creative potential.
Whether you're working in ink, wax, or acrylic, I hope these tools inspire you to explore, experiment, and push your practice forward.
Ceramic tiles provided by: Kim Filliaggi
With more than a decade of experience at the wheel, Kim Filiaggi creates pottery that reflects both technical mastery and a refined aesthetic sensibility. Working primarily in stoneware and porcelain, she focuses on form, proportion, and balance — shaping pieces that are both visually compelling and beautifully functional. Every bowl, mug, and vase is thoughtfully thrown to achieve clean lines, even walls, and a graceful sense of movement.
Kim’s surfaces often feature chattering patterns, achieved using specialized tools to create rhythmic, textural marks on the clay’s exterior. These subtle details catch glaze in unexpected ways, enhancing the tactile and visual depth of each piece. Her work embodies an understanding of how shape, surface, and glaze interact — resulting in ceramics that feel timeless and intentional.
About the Collaboration
Many pieces also feature surface design by Elizabeth Schowachert, whose sgraffito technique combines painting and fine-line scratching to reveal layers of color and detail beneath the surface. Her approach adds a painterly narrative to Kim’s thrown forms, blending expressive mark-making with the structure and precision of wheel-thrown clay.
Together, Kim and Elizabeth create work that bridges form and surface — functional pottery elevated by collaboration, craftsmanship, and a shared appreciation for natural beauty and thoughtful design.
Where to Find Us
You can find Kim Filiaggi Pottery at a variety of local markets and galleries throughout Montana. Each summer, we participate in the Monday Market — running from Labor Day to Memorial Day — where you can see and purchase our latest pottery in person.
Our work is also featured year-round in several regional galleries, including:
- Cassens Fine Art Gallery – Hamilton, MT
- Artisans Gallery – Bigfork, MT
- Persimmon Gallery – Columbia Falls, MT
We also look forward to exhibiting each year at the Bigfork Festival of the Arts, a favorite community event celebrating local craftsmanship and creativity.
If you’d like to stay connected, don’t hesitate to reach out — and be sure to sign up for our email list to stay informed about new pottery releases, special events, and exclusive subscriber discounts.