I grew up on the east coast in Marblehead, Massachusetts, a block and a half from the ocean. I knew nothing of pots or potters until I moved to Galena, Illinois, in the late 60’s. While I worked at the Galena Gazette, I was assigned to research the potteries which had flourished in the upper Mississippi valley in the 1850’s, and a new possibility beckoned. For the next 50+ years I have explored local clay, attended workshops, participated in kiln building, experimented with a variety of firing methods and continued to hone my skills. I benefited greatly from working with David Leach at Haystack in Maine, assisting Paul Soldner at his workshops in California, Massachusetts, Indiana, Nebraska, Minnesota and Ohio, and in recent years, had the privilege of assisting John Britt, Steven Hill, LInda Christianson, Delores Fortuna, and others as Studio Manager and Assistant to the Art Director at Adamah Art Studios in Dodgeville Wisconsin..

With clay, there are endless possibilities and endless mysteries to unravel! It is joy, surprise, risk, disappointment and struggle. It beckons us to grow, to explore, to play, and offers meditative moments as we spin soft clay on the wheel. Beyond any personal experience in the studio, there is great satisfaction in making an object to be used and enjoyed in the world - a favorite mug,

a generous bowl or some exuberant or quiet vessel for home or garden.

 

The experience of introducing the magic of clay and the potter’s wheel to students of all ages is reward in itself. It is great fun, and the more I teach, the more I learn!

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• Founding member of 20 Dirty Hands.

• Gallery owner featuring 40 + potters
• Board Member of Vision 2020 for the Arts
• Curator of the Regional Arts Gallery - Galena Center for the Arts
• Co-Chair of Youth Arts Festival - Chestnut Mountain Resort

• Former Studio Manager / Assistant to the Art Director at Adamah Art Studios in Dodgeville Wisconsin.  

• Current Pottery instructor at the Galena ARC in Galena, Illinois.