Meet Alec Hoogland | Potter & Gallery Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alec Hoogland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alec, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Embarking on my entrepreneurial journey was an unexpected yet serendipitous path. It began during my time in undergrad when I discovered my passion for ceramics, envisioning it as a lifelong pursuit, albeit not necessarily as an independent endeavor. Throughout my time in undergrad, I served as the head TA, deeply involved in every aspect from firings to teaching and gallery preparations.

Following graduation, I found myself immersed in the world of production, where I spent over a year honing my skills. It was during this time that pushed to me to think heavily on independent business ownership. Engaging in heartfelt conversations with a colleague who had previously ventured into entrepreneurship in the 90s, I was excited by his experience of both the exhilaration and the weightiness that accompanied such a venture. His words, “the worst that happens is that you move back in with your parents if you need to,” echoed in my mind as I contemplated my own path.

In 2018, filled with determination and optimism, I took the leap into full-time self-employment. Quickly, my efforts bore fruit as I secured wholesale and bulk orders, and began working for local artist Justin Rothshank from Goshen, IN.

Fast forward to 2023, and I found myself transitioning from the confines of my basement to the grandeur of brick-and-mortar ownership. My dreams came to life with the opening of Highland Studio & Gallery, set in downtown South Bend, IN. Here, not only do I make my own work, but I also teach classes, all while showcasing the works of over 20 potters from across the nation.

Reflecting on this journey, I realize how the experiences of my undergraduate years and my stint in production have intricately woven together, guiding me towards the realization of this exciting venture. Each step, each decision has been informed by these invaluable lessons, shaping the essence of Highland Studio & Gallery in profound ways.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am really proud of the body of work I have been putting out recently. It has been such a challenge to get to this point, so it feels extra exciting. When I was in undergrad, my study was in alternative firing techniques. These firings involved gas kilns where the glaze was from either wood, or chemicals like soda ash that were introduced to the firing. Once I graduated, my access to the kilns were limited and I was in a position where I had to learn how to create exhilarating surfaces using an electric kiln where I couldn’t rely on the kiln to give me surface decoration. The last three years has been an exploration of decorating pots using underglaze transfers – using colored slips to apply hand drawn images on clay. Getting to this point felt like starting over, and educating myself in a way. I really learned patience and working slowly during this. It was a big transition from making work in school, to then making work in production. The shift to spending more time on on individual piece was difficult, but so satisfying.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
South Bend at face value seems to not have much going for it. Its a rust belt town nestled on the St. Joseph river in northern Indiana. It is known for the Studebaker Cars, which was one of the leading car manufacturers until 1966. With the loss of the biggest manufacturing jobs in the area, the city crumbled with it. Here we are nearly 60 years later and the city is starting to put itself back together.

With so many vacant buildings, it has left entrepreneurs like myself to view the city as a blank slate and create really exciting opportunities to create the city’s new identity. There are dozens of gems around the city that I love to frequent. We have a vibrant food scene here with Roselily that offers a high end dining experience with a focus on tasting menus, Cloud Walking Café with locally roasted coffee, bean to bar chocolate, and fresh baked pastries, and Crooked Ewe with an amazing selection of beer brewed in house and an amazing menu with a focus on smoked meats.

There are a handful of really great bar serving some great cocktails at The Exchange Whiskey Bar, Hammer and Quill, and Spirited.

There are some great parks that bring me joy in South Bend. Howard park is set right on the river with a great walking path that follows with some amazing colored lights that are reflected onto the river in the evening with our city’s museum set in the background. St. Patricks Park is another park that offers lots of trails along the river to walk, which is where I enjoy bringing my daughter to so she can play in the dirt and water.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many folks who have guided me here. I wouldn’t be here without the help of my former partner, and dear friend Morgan Hoogland. She has supported me in every way and pushed to keep going despite the many tears shed, and fears of failure. Justin Rothshank who has given me guidance not only in making, but in running a business. Ben Futa who owns Botany, a local plant shop here in South Bend, for showing me what it looks like to live in and support community as a local independent business owner. There are so many others, but these are the folks who have stood out in big ways.

Website: https://alechooglandceramics.com

Instagram: alechooglandceramics

Other: Gallery website: highlandstudioandgallery.com