Robert Edward Carlson

Robert Carlson, 57, died peacefully at his home in Hannibal, MO. He was born an artist in Chicago, Illinois, to Kenneth and Darlene Carlson. The first of three children, he was the youngest student invited to join the Young Peoples Program of the Art Institute of Chicago as a boy, and worked in his fathers graphic design business, learning the principles of design and the business of art from an early age. In his early teens Roberts mentor-teacher-friend, Philip Mundt, introduced him to the clay that was to be his lifelong partner. Robert attended Tarkio College in Missouri, and studied under ceramic leaders such as Paul Soldner, Fred Olson, Don Reitz, Bill Farrell, Rick Berman, Jerry Chappelle and others. In his turn, Robert taught at the Prairie School, Racine, Wisconsin; Haverford School, Haverford, Pennsylvania; Wustum Museum, Racine, Wisconsin; Robbins Clay Company, Chicago, Illinois; York High School, Elmhurst, Illinois; Island Art Center, St Simons Island, Georgia; Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida; Florida Keys Community College, Key West, Florida; Appalachian School of Crafts, Smithville, Tennessee; New Mexico Potters Guild, Albuquerque, NM; The Art Center, Cookeville, Tennessee; and at Clayarts Studio, Emmitsburg, Maryland and Hannibal, Missouri. Robert married Katherine Himley and built his art pottery business, moving from suburban Chicago to rural Wisconsin, then Paducah, Kentucky and on to St Simons Island, Georgia, where this early marriage ended. Roberts second wife, Marilee Hall, a St. Simons Island caterer, became his partner in Primus Studios. They shared studios in Appleton and Princeton, Wisconsin and in Cookeville, Tennessee. Roberts work was shown at art galleries and festivals, and is prized by collectors nationwide. He operated a web design business, Design Basics, and recently took up painting as he continued to produce exquisite ceramic pieces. As an early participant in the contemporary American fine craft movement, his graceful ceramic vessels, powerful sculptures and sweeping wall constructions demonstrated that craft is fine art. Robert was past president of Highland Rim chapter of Tennessee Association of Craft Artists, a member of the National Association of Independent Artists, and the American Craft Council. He received numerous awards and was featured in such publications as American Style Magazine, Frederick Magazine and The Best of Pottery, by Quarry Books. Robert was named Artist of the Year in 1999 by the Cookeville, Tennessee Arts Commission. Robert is survived by his sister, Joanne (Eric) Roush, Menasha, Wisconsin; his brother William (Mary) Carlson, Roxboro, North Carolina; his niece Jessa (Henry) Lillge and nephew Chris Carlson, Appleton, Wisconsin; and his nephew Jericho (Kim) Jansen, and grand nephew Sawyer Jansen, Fayetteville, North Carolina. He is further survived by an uncle, Glenn Carlson and an aunt, Alice Collison, of California; former wife and dear friend, Marilee Hall, Cookeville, Tennessee; and many well-loved friends and colleagues around the country. Robert was preceded in death by his parents. Robert combined political activism with art and was a rabble-rousing, uncompromising Liberal. He was a beloved member of a large, far-flung, and diverse circle of friends and family. Well miss his spark, his brightness, and the love that imbued every piece. The work is done; your rest well earned. A celebration of Robert's life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Robert Carlson Memorial in care of James ODonnell Funeral Home, Inc.; PO Box 630; Hannibal, MO 63401