Paul Soldner (b.1921) is an American ceramic artist who is credited with several important advancements in the field and is viewed by many as one of the most important living potters.
Soldner served as an army medic during World War II and upon returning to the United States he began to pursue a career in art. After earning degrees in painting from Bluffton College and the University of Colorado he turned his attention to ceramics.
In 1954, Soldner became Peter Voulkos' first student at the L.A. County Art Institute. When Soldner arrived the ceramics department at the L.A. County Art Institute was just beginning and Voulkos had virtually nothing in the way of supplies or equipment. As Voulkos's first student Soldner played a major part in helping Voulkos establish the program. During this period Soldner made several revolutionary advances in pottery equipment that would eventually lead him to start his own company (Soldner Pottery Equipment) to market his inventions.
After receiving his MFA in ceramics in 1956, Soldner began teaching at Scripps College. Despite his long term teaching position Soldner remained active as an artist, producing a large body of work and numerous innovations in ceramic equipment and technique. His innovations included both the American form of Raku and a type of low-temperature salt firing.
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