Statement:

My understanding of beauty is rooted in my rural mid-western upbringing and my parents’ emphasis on family, fortitude, and follow-through. My work affirms life and is a reminder to celebrate and commemorate the trivial, the tragic, and the triumphant. 

They are functional pots, despite their delicate appearance. Symmetrical forms establish sturdiness and utility, while the fragility of their handles and edges, and the precariousness of the feet are reminders to handle the work –and life—with care. Smooth, luscious, and transparent surfaces and lace decorations suggest formal use, though my work is appropriate for everyday domestic life.

The pots are individually crafted from start to finish, using the potter’s wheel, draping molds, basic pottery tools, and my hands as the means to make parts that are altered and assembled into complete pieces. The damp green ware is decorated with pigmented slips and finished with luscious glazes, producing forms, motifs, and colors that challenge traditional masculine ceramics.

Bio:

Jenni learned the craft of creating elegant utilitarian pottery while earning her MFA at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a BFA at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Her current focus is on creating functional pots, with a delicate flare and supple surfaces, that act as daily reminders to celebrate, appreciate, and be present. She also dabbles in printmaking, mosaic, and craft work. When not making art, Jenni can be found working in the garden, hitting the trails on her e-bike, or supporting community development as the Director of Communications for Greater Dubuque Development Corporation. She, along with her three feline fur babies Georgia Lee, Claire, and George, makes her home in Dubuque, IA.