Alan Jedla Ceramics Scholarship Fund

The Alan Jedla Clay Legacy Fund

On June 14th, Alan Jedla passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones. His departure represents a profound loss for everyone who knew him, particularly the ceramic community that he so passionately nurtured throughout the years.

Alan was more than just a master potter; he was a mentor, a creative force, and a beacon of support to many. His legacy will resonate with everyone privileged enough to learn and create alongside him.

Alan Jedla was the kind of person who could spark inspiration with just a single conversation. I’ll never forget when Fire and Mud was closing, and Alan said, “If we had a fearless leader, there’s nothing a lot of us wouldn’t do to keep this going—to maintain a creative space for everyone.” That moment lit a fire that still burns today at MIY Ceramics Studio.

Alan’s legacy began long before MIY. In 2000, he helped Erik Evans build Fire & Mud Ceramics, and even earlier, in the 1990s, his influence was already deeply felt at Vickie Wydro’s Pug Dog Pottery.

His impact reaches far beyond the studios he helped shape. It lives on in those of us who worked beside him, in the students whose hands he guided, and in the hearts he touched through clay. And most profoundly, it endures in his beloved family—his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—who carry his spirit forward every day.

Celebrating His Life

On Saturday, July 26th, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, we will come together to celebrate the life of Alan Jedla—a man whose impact and spirit deserve to be honored in full.

At 5:00 PM, wherever you may be, we invite you to raise a glass in tribute to his memory.

This gathering is open to all who knew and loved Alan. It will be a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the joy, wisdom, and creativity he so generously shared with our community.

Support the Alan Jedla Clay Legacy Fund

As we reflect on the life of Alan Jedla, we honor the lasting legacy he leaves behind. Alan was more than a mentor and artist—he was a good ancestor, planting seeds of creativity, courage, and community that continue to flourish in all of us.

His deep belief in nurturing inclusive, creative spaces remains a guiding light. Through his mentorship and generous spirit, Alan shaped not only clay but lives—encouraging others to explore, express, and evolve.

To carry forward Alan’s mission of fostering creativity, we invite you to support the Alan Jedla Memorial Scholarship Fund. Your contribution will help provide free ceramics classes to aspiring artists in our community, ensuring that Alan’s spirit lives on in every piece of clay shaped and every heart inspired.

You can donate today via our # or in person at MIY Ceramics and Glass Studio.

Let’s build something beautiful together—just as Alan always did.

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