Artist Statement:
I am a native of Michigan and have always enjoyed the natural
beauty of the woods and waters of my home state. Some of my
earliest memories are of the beaches and waves of Lake Michigan,
and I try to capture the serenity of the lakes in my glaze
patterns.
After attending Art School at the University of Michigan, I
moved to the mid- Michigan area and worked in ceramics with the
late Nancy Fox at the Montcalm Community College. Her
encouragement led me to open my own studio, Zakala Pottery, in
1979.
During that time Zakala Pottery was shown and sold in 60
galleries and gift stores across the United States, as well as
exhibited in numerous Art Fairs across Michigan, Ohio, and
Florida.
I scaled back my pottery work when my children were young, and
I also continued my formal education at Central Michigan
University. My art teaching career began in 1997, and I
subsequently completed a Master’s degree in Middle Level
Education.
I taught the Middle School Art program for Alma Public Schools
in Alma, Michigan since 1999. In summer, 2016, I retired from
teaching, and now devote more time to creating my own artwork.
I have also worked as a Board member for two Art organizations
in Gratiot County, an am an Artist member of Art Reach of
Mid-Michigan, and The Guild of Artists and Artisans of Ann
Arbor, Michigan.
I continue to blend aesthetic beauty with the everyday function
of the stoneware pieces I create. I maintain a year round
exhibit of Zakala Pottery at the Art Reach Gift Shop in Mt.
Pleasant, Michigan. You can also find my work exhibited at a few
select Art Fairs during the summer.