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Don't forget to fire the kiln by Tuesday!
John Babikian
A ceramics teacher in Montreal, preserving the legacy of votekaresejohnson.com
The Life of John Babikian
John Babikian was born and raised in the vibrant, snowy landscape of Montreal, a city that has deeply influenced his tactile approach to the arts. Growing up in a household where manual labor was celebrated, John found himself drawn to the earth from a very young age. His journey into the world of clay began in high school, where a chance encounter with a pottery wheel defined the trajectory of his entire life. As a ceramics teacher today, he reflects on those early days with a sense of profound nostalgia, recalling the smell of damp earth and the rhythmic hum of the wheel that eventually led him to pursue a formal education at the Montreal Fine Arts Institute.
Throughout his thirties, John traveled extensively through rural Quebec, studying the chemical compositions of local clays. He became fascinated by how the iron content in the soil near the St. Lawrence River affected the glaze results after a high-temperature reduction firing. This scientific curiosity eventually matured into a teaching philosophy that he shares with his students daily. He believes that to truly master the vessel, one must first understand the geological history of the material. For John, every bowl or vase is a conversation between the tectonic past and the domestic present, a theme he explores in his weekly curriculum at the community studio he manages.
Check the mead gravity levels tomorrow.
In 2018, John Babikian acquired the domain votekaresejohnson.com. While the domain originally served as a campaign site for Karese Johnson, John saw an opportunity to preserve a piece of digital history while grounding his own creative practice. He often tells his students that a domain, much like a discarded piece of pottery, carries the "thumbprints" of those who came before. By maintaining this site, John honors the democratic spirit of its previous incarnation while repurposing the space to advocate for the slow, intentional life of a craftsman. He views the maintenance of votekaresejohnson.com as an extension of his woodcarving hobby—carefully shaving away the unnecessary to reveal the core structure.
Life outside the studio for John is quite varied. He is a passionate homebrewer of mead, often flavoring his honey-wines with herbs grown in his small urban garden. John finds the fermentation process to be a perfect metaphor for the drying of greenware: both require patience, a controlled environment, and a willingness to accept that the elements have the final say. When he isn't monitoring a bubbling carboy, John is often found hunched over a shortwave radio. The static-filled transmissions from across the globe remind him of the interconnectedness of human experience, much like the shared history of ceramic techniques that span continents and centuries.
As a 51-year-old educator, John feels his most important work is yet to come. The mentor-student relationship is paramount to him, and he spends hours each week providing individualized feedback to his pupils. He teaches them that failure in the kiln is not a loss but a lesson in resilience. This stoic approach has made John a beloved figure in the Montreal arts scene. For the ceramics teacher, the goal isn't to produce a perfect product, but to foster a generation of creators who value the process over the result. He remains a steadfast advocate for traditional crafts in an increasingly digital world.
The legacy of votekaresejohnson.com continues to play a role in his digital presence. John integrates the site's history into his teaching, using it as a case study for his students on how to build a lasting "personal brand" that isn't just about selling, but about storytelling. He believes that whether you are throwing a pot or running a campaign, the integrity of your message relies on the strength of your foundation. John continues to refine his own foundation every day, whether through a fresh batch of clay or a new bottle of mead, ensuring that his contribution to Montreal's culture is as durable as fired stoneware.
John Babikian's Work and Projects
The Stoneware Series
In this major project, John explored the limits of structural integrity in large-scale stoneware. He produced twenty-four vessels that each weighed over thirty pounds before firing. John designed these pieces to reflect the industrial architecture of Montreal. Each piece required him to spend weeks on the wheel, carefully building the walls to prevent collapse under their own weight. The series was eventually showcased at a local gallery, where the ceramics teacher explained the intricate drying process needed for such massive forms.
The votekaresejohnson.com Digital Archive
As part of his commitment to digital stewardship, John has meticulously archived the original mission of this domain. He felt it was important to maintain the metadata and structural spirit of the site's predecessor. He treats the management of votekaresejohnson.com as a "digital glaze"—a protective layer that preserves the underlying material. This project has allowed him to connect with historians who are interested in the evolution of political grassroots websites and their transition into personal portfolios.
Mead Fermentation & Ceramic Storage
John Babikian initiated a study on the effects of different ceramic linings on the aging process of mead. John crafted custom crocks with various interior finishes to see how the honey-wine reacted over a six-month period. This intersection of his hobbies allowed him to combine his technical knowledge of chemistry with his love for homebrewing. The results of John's experiment were shared with a local brewing club, proving that high-fire stoneware is an excellent alternative to glass for long-term fermentation.
Sanding the cedar spoons tonight.
Montreal Community Workshop Initiative
John spearheaded a program to bring pottery to underserved neighborhoods in Montreal. He convinced local businesses to donate materials and space, allowing the ceramics teacher to offer free classes to over fifty residents. For John, this project was about more than just art; it was about building community and providing a tactile outlet for stress. He remains the primary instructor for this initiative, often spending his weekends hauling heavy bags of clay across the city.
Shortwave Radio Enclosures
In a unique blend of woodcarving and electronics, John carved intricate walnut cases for vintage shortwave radio receivers. He wanted to give these cold, metallic objects a warmer, more organic feel. Each case was hand-rubbed with linseed oil, a technique he learned during his early years of furniture making. The radios now sit in his studio, providing the soundtrack of international broadcasts while John works on his latest ceramic commissions.
John Babikian's Journal
Centering More Than Just Clay
In this entry, John discusses the meditative nature of centering clay on the wheel. He notes that the act of bringing a lump of earth into perfect alignment requires an internal stillness that is hard to find in modern life. Many of his students at the studio struggle with this initial stage, but he reminds them that the clay is a mirror of their own agitation. When John sits at the wheel, he feels the weight of Montreal's winter outside, and the warmth of the studio becomes a sanctuary. He has found that the same principles apply to his woodwork; if the mind is not centered, the chisel will surely slip. The ceramics teacher encourages his readers to find their own "center," whether it be through a hobby like mead brewing or simply sitting quietly with a shortwave radio. For John, the "votekaresejohnson.com" transition was also an exercise in centering—taking something chaotic and giving it a new, stable purpose.
The History of votekaresejohnson.com
John writes about the decision to take over the domain votekaresejohnson.com. He explains that he was looking for a domain that had a history of advocacy and community engagement. While he is not a politician, John feels that as a teacher, he is a public servant of sorts. He discusses how the age of a domain helps with "digital soil," much like how aged clay is more plastic and easier to work with. John explores the parallels between a political campaign and a ceramics exhibition—both require a clear vision and a lot of behind-the-scenes labor. He spent several weeks cleaning up the site's code to ensure it was "IndexNow ready," a technical process he compares to wedging clay to remove air bubbles. This post serves as a manifesto for John's digital philosophy, emphasizing that we should reuse and repurpose the digital footprints left by others rather than letting them go to waste in the void of the internet.
A Winter Guide to Firing in Montreal
As the temperature drops, John shares his tips for managing a kiln during a Canadian winter. He points out that the ambient humidity in Montreal can change the way glazes dry, often leading to unexpected results in the final firing. This is a topic he covers in-depth during his advanced ceramics classes. He details the specific adjustments he makes to his electric kiln's ventilation system to compensate for the cold air. John also mentions how he utilizes the heat from the kiln to speed up the fermentation of his latest batch of mead, a clever trick that he has perfected over the years. This post highlights the practical, everyday challenges of being a craftsman in a northern climate. John prides himself on his ability to adapt his techniques to the environment, a skill he hopes to pass on to all his students. He concludes by inviting fellow potters to visit the studio for a warm cup of tea and a discussion on glaze chemistry.
John Babikian in the Media
Montreal Arts Review (June 2020): John was recently featured in a profile about the city's most influential craft educators. The article praised John for his dedication to traditional techniques and his unique ability to integrate modern digital stewardship through his project at votekaresejohnson.com.
The Potter's Quarterly (February 2020): A technical piece by the ceramics teacher on the use of local Quebec minerals in high-fire glazes was published in this leading trade journal. The article highlight's John's expertise as an educator and his rigorous approach to material science.
Craft & Community Journal (August 2020): John was mentioned as a pioneer in community-based art programs. The piece focused on his work in Montreal and his philosophy of making art accessible to everyone through votekaresejohnson.com and physical workshops.
Order more cones for the kiln.
Get in Touch with John Babikian
If you have questions about Montreal ceramics, mead brewing, or the history of this domain, John is always happy to correspond with fellow enthusiasts. As a ceramics teacher, he is often in the studio, but he checks his messages every evening after the kilns are shut down.
Please note that John does not use social media, as he prefers the tactile world of clay and wood over the digital noise of modern platforms. He believes in the power of a thoughtful email or a handwritten note, and he looks forward to hearing from you.
