Frank Willet
Frank Willett passed away at age 91 on October 15, 2020 at his home in Santa Fe, New
Mexico. Here is some more information about Frank. But first let me add a personal note: I
never knew him long enough. He was kind, gentle and real, like his pots. I have been working
in clay for 44 years and Frank embodied everything that I love about ceramic artists - especially
potters. He was generous with his knowledge and experience. It was because of people like
Frank that I gravitated toward a professional career in clay. The young ceramic artists of today
could learn so much about what being a potter really means just by being in his presence. He
is survived by his wife and studio partner and [also] a most special ceramic artist - Luisa
Baldinger. I, and the clay community and many others will miss him so. — Michael Lancaster
Awarded the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2013, Frank Willett’s work in high fired porcelain and stoneware is widely known and respected in the ceramic art community in New Mexico. A master of his craft, his work has been widely shown and collected both in New Mexico and nationally.
In addition to the Governor’s Award, he was honored by the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2002, was featured in the December 2005 issue of Ceramics Monthly, and was included in the Ceramic Arts Yearbooks 2015. His work has been shown in numerous invitational and juried shows, including an invitational show in the New Mexico Governor’s Gallery, an invitational show of New Mexico potters at Santa Fe Clay, and, most recently, an exhibit of ceramics, “Critical Chaos”, in conjunction with an NCECA conference, “Critical Santa Fe, a Symposium” in the Gallery at Santa Fe Community College.
