My challenge, as a potter, is to make functionally designed pots that are art forms.

I came to pottery in an unconventional way. While working as an art director on Madison Avenue, New York City, I noticed there was the “Art Students League” just down the block from me on Lexington Avenue. This gave me my first exploration into the world of ceramics, and I was captivated by the art form. This was a wonderful experience for me that has followed me to the great northwest.

I am originally from New Jersey. In my little hometown of Demarest there is a wonderful art school called “The Art School at Old Church”. It is an amazing school founded by Mikhail Zakin, a famous potter. I was lucky enough to be asked to be on the Board of Directors and on the Bylaws Committee. Every year they have an annual ceramic show and sale that was cofounded by Mikhail Zakin and Karen Karnes, also a famous potter, as a fundraiser. It is now a world-renowned show. I spent many hours there in the pottery studio learning the craft.

I was an Art Director, Print Production Manager and Production Engineer in the graphic arts field, plus a Website Designer and Developer before retirement. Now I have the time to begin another career in ceramics.

I am a member of the Olympic College Clay Club, Washington Clay Arts Association, NCECA, the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts. And I am also a member of the WSU Kitsap County Extension Master Gardeners. It is my belief that giving back to the community is very important.