Nick Latka (1950–1992) was an American ceramic and multidisciplinary artist known for combining intricate slip-cast techniques with experimental glazing.

Born in San Diego and raised between the orange groves of Southern California and the open prairies and verdant pines of Colorado, Latka’s artistic journey was as diverse as the terrains of his upbringing. A childhood shaped by frequent moves — driven by his father’s restless spirit — gave him a lasting sense of adaptability, something that would come to shape both his life and his work.

He earned his MFA from the University of Colorado in 1975, where he focused on slipcasting, mold-making, and glaze development. His interest in materials led him into the world of industrial ceramics, where he studied through programs with Kohler Arts/Industry and Coors Ceramics. Across mediums — from functional pottery to bronze sculpture and public installations — his work reflected a profound understanding of materiality and form.

He often collaborated with other artists, including his brother Tom Latka and sister-in-law Jean Latka, lifelong ceramicists based in Pueblo, Colorado. Under the mentorship of sculptor John DeAndrea, Nick also began working with realistic molds of everyday objects, further expanding his artistic range.

In addition to his studio work, Nick was a dedicated teacher. He taught at the University of Southern Colorado (now CSU–Pueblo), Gavilan College, and Cabrillo College, and spent his final year in a teaching exchange at Portland State University. He was known for his energy and unconventional approach to teaching — including a project in which he and his students restored a storm-damaged sailboat, renaming the art department “The Ark Department.”

Nick Latka died in 1992 at the age of 42. His work, his teaching, and his approach to craft continue to resonate through his family, his students, and the communities he influenced — including his son and daughter, who each carry forward his creative spirit in their own ways.