Isabel Gottlieb- Pika Mug

Dimensions: 4"h x 5"w (w handle) x 3.5"d, 14 oz

Ceramic mug, fully functional. Stoneware fired to cone 6 in an electric kiln

For one of my pieces for this show, I wanted to highlight a species that is threatened by climate change. I chose the American pika because 1. They are an indicator species for climate change 2. They are local legends here in Colorado, 3. I saw a bunch of them up on the mountain passes during my backpacking trip last week in the Maroon Bells Wilderness, and 4. They are very cute.

Pikas are sensitive to warm weather and rely on high alpine and subalpine rocky habitats, on mountains throughout the American West and Canada. They have listed dispersal abilities, and depend on snowpack for survival in the winter for its insulating properties, because they do not hibernate and need some extra help to stay warm. As the climate warms, pikas are pushed higher in altitude, and populations can become isolated on "sky islands" - mountaintops with suitable habitat surrounded by areas that are too warm for them to persist - resulting in habitat loss and restricting gene flow. The National Park Service's Pika's in Peril project predicts that the American Pika may become extinct in several National Parks by the end of the century due to climate change, particularly in lower-elevation parks and habitats.

50% of the proceeds from this mug will be donated to the National Parks Foundation.  To learn more about their work please visit https://www.nationalparks.org/

To see more of Isabel's creations be sure to follow on Instagram @buteostudio