Madeleine Louise Althoff works in utilitarian ceramics, creating surface design using sgraffito. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota in February of 2000. She first was exposed to art at a young age by partaking in the free Saturday events at the Walker Art Museum with her fathers. This was often followed by an afternoon of painting.
Introduced to ceramics in High School begrudgingly, but by the second day of class decided that ceramics was what she wanted to do the rest of her life. Taking as many ceramic classes as the school allowed, including creating two of her own during her senior year.
Entering College Althoff was determined to make ceramics her life pursuit. Taking every class available, while also being the program’s TA. Cornell College allowed her to create her own ceramics class during Covid so that she could continue in the medium. Otherwise the ceramics department was at a standstill until the end of her junior year when in-person classes were reinstated. Committed to creating an extravagant Senior Thesis project, Althoff created 58 pieces for her display, earning honors for her dedication and execution.
While a resident at the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio Althoff had a solo exhibition titled Lady of the House. Which she dedicated to her deceased grandmother. During this residency Althoff was also a part of fourteen juried and group shows across the country.
Althoff will be continuing her ceramics career and work at Pocosin Arts, School of Fine Craft in Columbia, NC this coming September (2023). She will be their sole Ceramic Resident Artist. She hopes to continue her pursuit of connecting people back to their ancestors through design and imagery.