Minnesota in Photos

An exploration of our state in images.

October 19, 2012

Photos: Minnesota's Donovan Palmquist, kiln builder


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Donovan Palmquist, 57, grew up thinking his devotion to fly fishing would lead to a career in biology, maybe veterinary medicine. But praise for his pottery from a college professor swayed him away from natural science and toward art. He and his partner Colleen Riley live on 14 acres near Farmington, Minn. -- plenty of room for their studios and kilns.

Applying a wax coating

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Farmington, Minnesota, USA — Donovan Palmquist applies a wax coating to a pot at his home studio in Eureka Township, Minn. Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012. In addition to the pottery business he and his wife own and operate, Palmquist builds kilns for clients across the country. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read the story) link to this photo

Cleaning the studio

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Farmington, Minnesota, USA — As his wife, Colleen Riley, works on a pot nearby, Donovan Palmquist cleans his home studio. The couple own and operate Eureka Pots of Minnesota, and were preparing for the South Central Minnesota Studio ArTour happening Oct. 20-21, 2012. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read the story) link to this photo

Dogs relaxing

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Farmington, Minnesota, USA — Donovan Palmquist and Colleen Riley's dogs, Opie and Frieda, relax in the couple's home studio. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read the story) link to this photo

Walking to the kiln

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Farmington, Minnesota, USA — Donovan Palmquist walks a tray of pottery from his studio to the kiln building on his property. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read the story) link to this photo

Moving pieces

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Farmington, Minnesota, USA — Donovan Palmquist moves pottery pieces before firing them in the kiln at his home. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read the story) link to this photo

Loading the kiln

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Farmington, Minnesota, USA — Donovan Palmquist and his wife Colleen Riley load their gas-fired soda kiln. Palmquist designs and builds wood-fired and gas kilns for clients throughout the United States. Palmquist started Master Kiln Builders in the mid-1990's and said he has built more than 360 kilns for clients in 41 states. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read the story) link to this photo

Variety of pieces

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Farmington, Minnesota, USA — Donovan Palmquist and Colleen Riley load their kiln with a selection of their pieces. The couple owns Eureka Pots and sell their pieces at art fairs and other places throughout the year. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read the story) link to this photo

Well used kiln

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Farmington, Minnesota, USA — Donovan Palmquist's gas-fired soda kiln shows signs of use at his home. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read the story) link to this photo

Kiln building

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Farmington, Minnesota, USA — Donovan Palmquist and his wife Colleen Riley work outside the gas-fired kiln building at their home studio. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read the story) link to this photo

Finished pieces

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Farmington, Minnesota, USA — Finished pieces are displayed in the yard of Donovan Palmquist and Colleen Riley. The potters part of the South Central Minnesota Studio ArTour this year. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read the story) link to this photo

Sharing a laugh

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Farmington, Minnesota, USA — Donovan Palmquist and his wife Colleen Riley share a laugh after looking at photos at their home. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) (Read the story) link to this photo

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