Akira Satake

Teaches at District Clay Center

Akira Satake was born in Osaka, Japan, and has been living in the U.S. since 1983.   He has taught masterclasses and workshops across the country including at Peters Valley, Penland School of Craft, Arrowmont Craft School, Touchstone Center for Craft, among many others.  He has also lectured and taught workshops in Australia, Belgium, England, France and Israel.  He received the National Award for Excellence in Contemporary Craft by the Philadelphia Museum.  His work is held by the Mint Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Phillips Collection.  

The Philadelphia Museum awarded Satake the National Award for Excellence in Contemporary Clay.  A Craftsman’s Legacy – a national television series on PBS, featured his life and work.  

Satake lives in Asheville, North Carolina where he recently opened a new gallery space.  He is also an accomplished player of the shamisen, a japanese banjo, with numerous recording and awards.