Corey Johnson studied ceramics at the Kansas City Art Institute and at the West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Throughout this college career, the young potter had a desire to use his work to help others. He frames this desire in religious terms, calling it “an epiphany” and deciding that it was a way he could serve God.
The story of his efforts up until recently is detailed on his web site. From the Trentonian newspaper:
“He came across an organization called Potters For Peace, a nonprofit organization that works with potters overseas and also helps build ceramic water filter production factories in third-world countries and around the world.
“’I was just feeling this huge push to go,’ Johnson said, adding that he couldn’t stop thinking about their mission. The trip would cost $1,800 for two weeks, and he turned to a Kickstarter campaign – Kickstarter is an online, creative project funding platform, according to its Web site – to raise the money.
“He was, he said, amazed by the power of social media. ‘I put this video out, and I got $3,600 within six hours on the first day,’ he said. ”I was not expecting this at all.’”
Since that time he’s made two trips to Nicaragua, returning most recently on June 18. He worked in a studio to make ceramic water filters that are used to purify drinking water. He helped build the studio and taught people there how to make pottery. His filters look like flower pots made out of clay and sawdust. The filters are brushed with a mixture of colloidal silver and water. Johnson said the filters clean between one to three liters of water in an hour and can filter 99 percent of waterborne pathogens. They’re cheap, too!
He hopes to keep the project going and could probably use more help in the future. He meets this week with CFile Editor Garth Clark so expect to hear more about this worthy cause. Until then you can read more about it on Clay for Water’s Facebook page and website.
Any thoughts about this post? Share yours in the comment box below.
Corey Johnson with professor Christopher Staley.
Both groups sound amazing. Sometimes, I think, smalll beginings lead to bigger ideas and a broader perspective. Each group is as important as the next, and each has its own workload. I would love to be involved in both groups and especially learn more about these water containers.
In Canada the same interests are served by members of “POTTERS WITHOUT BORDERS “
Ceramic artist and long-time advocate for Potters for Peace, Penny Truitt, is setting up a fundraiser for Potters for Peace in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Event will be held on October 3 and 4, 9:00 – 5:00. Penny is asking for potters to donate ceramic art pieces for the sale. The NMPCA organization is helping to publicize this donation effort. Contact enews@nmpotters.org to get more information about how you can donate.
I am very familiar with the good work of Potter’s For Peace, and wonder why there was a need to create a new organization doing essentially the same thing. PfP is working in other countries as well.
Clay for water an organization that reaches out to the ceramic community and acquires artists work on consignment. It will offer these artists work at events and online. Clay for water would like to build the ceramics community and increase awareness about pottery and these ceramic water filters that can provide clean water to those in need. Plus this organization gives artists the chance to help a good cause through their work. Potters for peace and Clay for water will be working together to help one another so all the support is appreciated.
Jan,
There is a World Water Crisis taking place right now. This is a direct quote from Potters for Peace website: “We do not make, store or distribute ceramic water filters nor do we operate filter production facilities. Instead, we assist local partners to set up their own filter production and distribution facilities.”
Clay for Water plans to make, store, and distribute ceramic water filters and operate filter production facilities. We plan to do this by raising awareness and funds through the Ceramic Arts and Events Clay for Water hosts. I hope this awnsers your questions or concerns.
I went on a brigade with Potters for Peace 2 years ago. I would not have created this organization if I did not feel there was a need for it. I plan to work with PFP to take action against this crisis.
Thanks for your interest.
Corey Johnson
Creator of Clay for Water
Thanks for that update and explaining the connection. It makes more sense now & I applaud both groups.
Thanks for explaining, I was wondering the same thing since the article does not describe the relationship to P4P.
Great! Thanks for share.