Peter Ludt, Loot- July 2025

-How and where did your art practice begin? 

I've been making art for as long as I can remember and knew from an early age that I wanted to be an art teacher—but I came to ceramics a little later. I didn’t take many ceramics classes in high school or college, and it wasn’t until I was student-teaching at West High School in Madison in the early 2000s that I truly fell in love

with the medium. From that moment on, I knew I was a ceramicist. I’ve been teaching ceramics at Middleton High School for the past ten years, but it wasn’t until 2022 that LOOT Ceramics was born. One day, my wife and I were in downtown Madison and saw a pair of clay earrings for sale. I said, “I could make those,” and she said, “Yeah, you could.” That’s when it hit me—I could be creating things out of clay that people would actually want to buy.

-Where do you draw inspiration for your forms/designs? 

I love Wisconsin nature—it's where I find most of my inspiration. The colors, forms, and textures of the local landscape deeply influence my work. From the curved lines of a babbling creek to the vibrant, shifting hues of the Midwestern seasons, I enjoy translating these natural elements into clay. Since clay itself comes from the earth, I feel a strong responsibility to reflect and honor that connection in my work.

-What draws you to your specific/preferred medium? 

I absolutely love working with clay. I love that it comes from the earth, that I can harvest it right from my own backyard, and that I can recycle pieces I’m not happy with back into usable material. I’m also drawn to the deep history of the medium—clay is the oldest known human handicraft. For tens of thousands of years, people around the world have used clay to build communities and advance civilizations. Pottery has been found on every continent except Antarctica, offering insight into indigenous cultures and their ways of life. What fascinates me most is that many of the techniques and tools used then are still in use today.

-Who were your mentors or what resources did you use to learn your medium? 

I’ve been fortunate to have three main mentors in my life. The first is a pair of incredible art teachers from Middleton High School—Robert Elland and Larry Stephens. Mr. Elland was one of the biggest influences on my decision to become an art teacher; he showed me what it means to truly inspire students. Later, I had the privilege of working alongside Larry Stephens when I began teaching at MHS, and he continues to be a valued mentor and friend. While student-teaching at West High School, I had the honor of learning from Don Hunt, a longtime Wisconsin ceramicist and educator. He taught me how to throw on the wheel and shared countless lessons about both clay and life. Lastly, my aunt, Rosemary Ludt, a ceramicist from Kalamazoo, Michigan, has been a constant source of inspiration, ideas, tools, and experience.

-What result can a finished piece or your process yield that makes you feel rewarded or proud? 

I never got into art for the money—it’s always been about the joy of creating

something that resonates with others. There’s nothing more satisfying than watching someone pick up one of my pieces and fall in love with it to the point that they feel they have to own it. When a form, texture, glaze, or technique captivates a viewer—and you can see that spark in their eyes—that’s the real reward.

-Where is your practice now, what is your focus, where is it growing? 

As a full time art teacher, my practice has always been a side hobby.  It’s hard to dedicate all my energy to making/selling my work, when teaching takes up so much, but by being in the classroom everyday, it provides me the opportunity to explore new ideas and hone my craft. I love throwing pots on the wheel, especially bowls, they are so versatile in everyday life, not just in the kitchen.  I will always continue to make earrings, and they keep getting smaller with each new experimentation I explore.  My current interest is with fish; slip casting bottles and creating fish platters out of slabs. I love finding new and creative things to make out of clay and don’t ever want to pigeon hole into just making one thing.

How do community art spaces like Art Hub enhance your ability to make, distribute, and celebrate art? 

When I first started LOOT, the very first show I signed up for was The Spring Market at Warner Park Community Center. It was a quiet indoor event on a slow day—but it’s where I met Jacy from The Art Hub, who invited me to sell some of my work in her upcoming store. Three years later, it’s been a truly wonderful relationship. Not only has The Art Hub given my work greater exposure through their gallery, but their Art on Main event last year helped me form meaningful connections with fellow artists and educators. I believe every community needs a space to celebrate artists and their work—a place that serves as a hub of creativity, connection, and inspiration.