Education Workshops at the Red Wing Collectors Society CrockFest
A message from RWCS Education Manager Aarika Floyd
“I am pleased to announce the 2026 CrockFest Keynote speaker, pottery expert, Scott Vermillion. Scott will share his knowledge and insight of two of history’s most influential woman pottery designers in his presentation “ Red Wing and Beyond: The Designs of Eva Zeisel and Belle Kogan, exploring the contributions of the two pioneering women to Red Wing Potteries and 20th-century industrial design.”
Scott Vermillion is a lifelong Chicago-area resident who studied design at the Illinois Institute of Technology Institute of Design. He has had a 40+ year career in industrial and graphic design, including as Vice President of Design at High Sierra, a Samsonite company. A longtime collector and historian of American pottery, dinnerware, and decorative arts, Mr. Vermillion co-wrote the book Eva Zeisel: Design, Life and Beauty. He has contributed to several books on mid-century modern dinnerware, served as co-editor of the Eva Zeisel Forum newsletter for eight years, and now administers its companion Facebook page, along with several other vintage dinnerware-related pages. He serves on the Board of Directors of the International Museum of Dinnerware Design and has written essays for the museum and given numerous online presentations on the subject.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram as more details on Scott’s presentation are announced soon.
Here’s a few of the exciting speakers on tap for 2026 CrockFest! The list is growing daily.
- Corrinne Reed: “Fort Dodge Stoneware Company”
- Aarika Floyd: “Researching Red Wing Advertising”
- Gary Tefft: “Red Wing Furniture”
- Wendy Callicoat & Doug Perkins: Brimfield Antique Show provide some exciting updates regarding the collaboration with Brimfield Antiques in 2027
- Austin Fjerestad: “Discovering the Transition Era in the Dump”
- Dave & Diane Hallstrom, Larry Peterson “Your Pottery Museum of Red Wing and how to secure it’s future.
- Larry Roschen & Terry Moe updates to their dinnerware series.
- Lunch & Learn topic: TBD – Individual Lunch Boxes curated by Scatterbrain Cafe
Adult Education
Ongoing Education is a focal point of the RWCS events. Each year the Education Manager puts together an exciting slate of presenters for CrockFest. Attendees have a wide variety of educational experiences available. Featured presenters will have information about Stoneware, Art Pottery, Dinnerware, Red Wing Potteries history, research updates, hands-on activities and more. We are always looking for collectors to share their knowledge and collecting experience at both our in person events. Contact Education Chair Aarika Floyd or any other RWCS Board member to discuss the possibilities.
Check the Schedule tab for a complete list of CrockFest presenters.
— CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW! —
Kids View
KIDS VIEW!!!!! FREE for kids ages 3-16. Make the annual RWCS CrockFest a family vacation.
2026 Guest Speakers are Austin Fjerestad and Dennis Nygaard sharing their adventures of digging in the Red Wing dump. Kids will also get to experience their own “dump dig” inside our classroom searching for buried Red Wing treasures.
The Kids View of Red Wing Program began at the Annual Convention in 2000. Kids View is for children ages 3 to 16 years of age. Its goal is to educate the youth of the RWCS on all things Red Wing. The curriculum is developed each year to educate the kids on Stoneware, Art Pottery, Dinnerware and Red Wing history. Our kids are the next generation of collectors. Alongside the educational material is a hands-on event that is based on the curriculum for the year. Kids also love the kids only Show and Sale where they use their “Red Wing Bucks” to purchase items to add to their collections. The Show and Sale is made possible by donations from RWCS members.
We can’t wait to see you this year!!!!!!! If you want to volunteer email Wendy or Sue.
Don’t forget to register your kids during the registration process so we can make sure to have enough supplies! Walk-ins will be accepted if you forget. Kids View is a great way to introduce your kids to the world of Red Wing Pottery.
For more information contact Wendy Callicoat wendy@sarcoxienursery.com or Sue Tagliapietra jeffsue@chorus.net.