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Fawn

@fawn.penn

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ceramic artist
co-founder @thedigschicago & @oldfriendsgallery
Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister 2023

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Forbes 30 under 30 Chicago!!

What an insane thing to wake up to today !

I’m so grateful for this city where we’ve been able to build a community of artists, and the possibility for growth here. I’m overflowing with love for all who have supported us through this journey ♥️

And of course so much love to the other half of the Digs @zoe.minz.ceramics We always like to say that we just universally lucked out with each other, balancing each other perfectly as business partners.

Thank u thank u thank u, to our city, to our mentors who supported us, to our families. All your love brought us here and we are forever thankful ♥️ taken in Chicago, Illinois by @fawn.penn

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3 years ago

not quite a rhombus ~~

glazed stoneware, india ink by @fawn.penn

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14 days ago

a little bunny ~

at @chq.art the artists were just a subplot to the community of rabbits. naturally they had to be immortalized in clay

glazed stoneware
4” x 5” by @fawn.penn

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21 days ago

spirit crane, 2026
glazed stoneware
19” x 16” x 2”

this piece already found a home at @chq.art & i’m excited to make more wall works ♡ by @fawn.penn

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a month ago

a few more photos from my time at @chq.art

feeling grounded in my studio practice, with a list of all i’ve learned and all i have yet to do. making work is my core, and spending long days in the studio is what i feel most at peace with. the feeling of working with material is what i’ve built my life for, and nothing feels better.

grateful to work with truly lovely people, residents, staff, and faculty. ♡ by @fawn.penn

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2 months ago

a lovely place, full of lovely people.

the residency is winding down, the last six weeks have been truly restorative. heart is full of art and good people.

@chq.art taken in Chautauqua, New York by @fawn.penn

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2 months ago

excited to say that i’ll be at Chautauqua Institution @chq.art for a 6-week residency ~

looking forward for time to deeper connect with my practice, make work, and have some space in the brain by @fawn.penn

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4 months ago

we rebuilt @oldfriendsgallery ! (literally)

we’re finally back! we’ve moved to a new and improved location & we’re so excited to show everyone!

our first show back is ReCentering, a secondary iteration of our inaugural show. Same artists, new work. this show is close to our hearts and the ethos of old friends 🤍

Please join us for the opening reception Monday June 22nd 6-9pm !

@oldfriendsgallery is now at 3149 N Halsted 💫 by @fawn.penn

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4 months ago

WE HAVE WHAT YOU FORGOT, 2026
glazed stoneware
14” x 12” x 2”

a gas station sign that meant something a little deeper~ by @fawn.penn

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4 months ago

waiting room, 2026
stoneware, soda wash, nickel
15” x 13” x 1”

a glass leach jar, corroded by soda ash in the kiln ♡ by @fawn.penn

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5 months ago

Old Friends is thrilled to announce our upcoming move to 3149 N. Halsted St. As we enter our third year of programming, we look forward to this significant expansion and are eager to welcome friends and collaborators to the new space. Join our email list for updates and announcements of new programming, continuing our mission of highlighting emerging and established artists focused on novel material applications.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported our program since its inception. We will always think fondly of our first space in Roscoe, with its Chicago charm (and brick backed walls).

Hope to see you soon on Halsted St!

photo: @evanpjenkins taken in Lakeview, Chicago by @fawn.penn

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6 months ago

NCECA 🩶 2026

this time is always a huge reconnection to the heart of why i chose ceramics as a career and a lifelong love. i’m so grateful to get to see old friends and mentors who i adore. it feels so special that we are all working in this field, exactly where we need to be. this year, it was important to focus on engaging in artistically critical conversations, which sometimes i miss in my day to day. here i get to connect, experience new techniques, investigate equipment advancements, and deepen my knowledge of the past we pull from when working with this ancient material.

clay is so special, friends are so special, mentors are so special. it’s just a plus that i also fell in love with detroit on this trip.

one of the most meaningful moments was hearing @andersruhwald talk about @unit1_3583dubois. i’ve followed the project for years and it meant so much to see it in person, and to learn about the weight held in its walls. growing up in milwaukee, my hometown was a survivor of industry. my parents are from decatur, which experienced a similar trajectory to detroit with the downfall of the car industry. in chicago, industry is alive and present, but it has grown beyond its history into something new. Unit 1 feels relevant to my history and connection to place, and it was extremely emotional to experience.

nceca always makes me overflow with love, but something about this year felt increasingly healing and needed. this week felt like coming home. taken in Detroit, Michigan by @fawn.penn

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6 months ago