Keramiker, amerikansk, håndværker, mor, hustru, polka-prik enthusiast og meget mere
Kimberly har mange titler og mange boble i luften, som iværksætter og indehaver af Birkelund Boutique. Hun driver det kombineret værksted og butik i Almind, tæt på Kolding. Et sted, hvor hun kan invitere folk ind, vise dem keramikkens kunst, og hvor man kan gå på opdagelse i hendes prikkede og finurligt fine univers.
Det var en sand kærlighedsrejse, der fik Kimberly til at bosætte sig i Danmark. Hun er oprindeligt fra Wisconsin, hvor hun startede sin rejse med keramikken. Men med en kæmpe eventyrlyst i maven, drog hun til Caribien i 2001, hvor hun havde værksted og galleri. Skæbnen ville dog, at hendes kommende mand danskeren Sune sejlede rundt i øhavet med sin gode ven. Og 3. gang han besøgte Skt Thomas, hvor Kimberly boede, mødte de hinanden i byen. Fuldstændig som man ser det på film, blev de stormende forelskede.
Good Reasons to Buy from Birkelund Boutique
1. Bring unique and inspired ceramics to your everyday life
2. Enjoy them often knowing they can simply go in the dishwasher
3. Use handmade, local products to promote art and culture in society
Historien bag polka prikkerne
Kimberly’s signatur er de fine små polka-prikker, som er lavet nænsomt i hånden, på hvert eneste stykke keramik.
“Jeg vil gerne fremhæve det smukke håndværk, der ligger bag de forskellige produkter - derfor oplever du blandt andet, at fingeraftrykkene, der holdte koppen under glaseringen, er fremhævet fremfor skjult. Ligesom bunden af koppen er fremhævet fremfor at være af mindre betydning”, forklarer Kimberly.
Hos Birkelund Boutique bliver alt porcelæn drejet på et pottemagerhjul og formet i hånden. Kimberly går efter en finurlig stil, der både er rustik og oser af glæde. Hver en kop skal afspejle følelsen og berøringen af hendes hænder, så du købe kvalitets porcelæn med en sjov historie bag. Alt keramik brændes til en temperatur, der sikre at det er vandtæt og tåler opvaskemaskine.
Kimberly Young - CV
Bio: Ceramic artist for 25 years, originally from the U.S., living in Denmark for 14 years. Drawn to patterns & the fusion of contrasting materials such as clay & paper. Inspired by nature's repetition, and the interplay between structure and fluidity.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts – Ceramics – University of Wisconsin, River Falls 1995-1999
Milwaukee School of Art and Design Summer-1997-1999
Work Experience
Owner of Birkelund Boutique & Værksted 2018-current
Owner of Everyday Clay Studio and Gallery – St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands - 2008-2011
Property Manager of Tillett Gardens – Center for the Arts – St. Thomas Us Virgin Islands - 2009-2011
Memberships and Board
Danske Kunsthåndværkere og Designere Syd Board Member 2025-current
Danske Kunsthåndværkere og Designere Member 2023-current
Arts Alive Board Member 2008-2011
Arts Alive was a non-profit organization that brought music performers, design markets and curated art exhibits at Tillett Gardens
ArtVI Advocates Board Member 2009-2011
ArtVI Advocates promoted the arts to enhance cultural, social and economic well-being in the US Virgin Islands.
FireWorks Committee 2006-2011
Annual exhibit showcasing ceramic artists and students living in the Caribbean.
Potters Council 2005-2011
Nonprofit subsidiary of The American Ceramic Society
American Craft Council 2006 – 2011
Nonprofit educational organization promoting the understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft.
Projects & Collaborations
2025 - Craft Fair Vejen committee – Planning and organizing a new design market for 50 members of DKoD in conjunction with Vejen Kunstmuseum and Museums and Kunstforeningen Vejen og Omgen
2025 - ´Living is in the Detail´ committee - planning and curating a show for members of DKoD Syd at Nicolai Kunst og Design
Art Exhibits
2024 - Kunsthåndværk Nu – Dronninglund Kunstcenter, Denmark
2019 - FORMLAND – Creators Community – Herning, Denmark
2019 - USELESS – Mat Makes Art – Copenhagen, Denmark
2011 - In.Stall.Me – Everyday Clay Studio – St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
2011 - Caribbean Color – The Ice Gallery Project – St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
2010 - 4 Colors, 4 Medias, a Needle and a Thread – Everyday Clay Studio – St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
2008 - In the Belly of My Dreams – Everyday Clay Studio – St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
2005-10 – FireWorks I, II, III, IV, V – Gallery St. Thomas – St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
2003 - Caribbean Color – St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
2003-02 – Battery Show - St. John Art Association – St. John, US Virgin Islands
1999 - Fiber and Texture Exhibit – University of Whitewater – Whitewater, WI, USA
1999 - Functional Fire, Wood fired cup exhibit – Iowa Artisans Gallery, Iowa, USA
Awards
2010 – Honorable Mention & People’s Choice Award – FireWorks V – St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
2007 – Artists Choice Award – FireWorks III – St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
2006 – 1st Place Professional Category - FireWorks II – St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
2006 – Best Sculpture Award – FireWorksII – St, Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Design Markets
Frue Plads Designmarked – 2024
Skælskør Keramik Festival - 2024
Trapholt Museum Julemarked og Pinsemarked 2019, 2022, 2023 ,2024
Jorn Museum Keramikmarked – August 2023, 2024
English below
The story behind the polka dots
Birkelund in danish means ‘birch grove’. It is the name of the inspiring danish property where American potter Kimberly Young lives with her family and runs Birkelund Boutique.
Kimberly's signature is the little polka dots, which are made gently by hand on each and every piece of pottery.
"I would like to highlight the beautiful craftsmanship behind the various products - which is why you will notice that the fingerprints that held the cup under the glazing, are highlighted rather than hidden. Like the bottom of the cup is highlighted rather than being of lesser importance”, Kimberly explains.
At Birkelund Boutique, all porcelain is turned on a potter's wheel and shaped by hand. Kimberly goes for a whimsical style that is both rustic and oozes joy. Each cup must reflect the feeling and touch of her hands. At Birkelund Boutique you can buy quality porcelain with a fun story behind it. All ceramic is fired to a temperature that ensures it is waterproof and dishwasher safe.
Potter, American, craftsman, mother, wife, polka dot enthusiast and much more
Kimberly has many titles and many hats to wear as entrepreneur and owner of Birkelund Boutique. She runs the combined workshop and shop in Almind, close to Kolding. A place where she invites people in, shows them the art of ceramics and where you can discover her dotted and whimsically fine porcelain universe.
It was a true love story that led Kimberly to settle in Denmark. She is originally from Wisconsin, where she started her journey with ceramics. But with a huge sense of adventure she went to the Caribbean in 2001, where she had a workshop and gallery. However, fate wanted her future husband, Dane Sune, to sail around the archipelago with his good friend. And the 3rd time he visited St. Thomas, where Kimberly lived, they met each other in town. Exactly as you see it in the movies, they fell head over heels in love.
