I have been an art educator for over  25 years, and have been an instructor for ACEC since 2003. I have taught at all different levels from  pre-school children to adults.  For 23 years I created and taught an art and a gardening program to children with special needs of severe and profound mental impairment, physical challenges, vision and hearing challenges.  In 2001 I received a “Teacher of the Year” award for my work in the Rockford Public Schools system in Illinois.

My education seems as diverse as my teaching experiences. undergraduate studies were at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater earning a B. Ed. in art education.  Graduate studies were done at the University of Illinois - Champaign/Urbana, Rockford  College, the Art Institute of Chicago, Arrowmont School of Arts and Craft in Tennessee, and Northern Illinois University - DeKalb where I earned an M.A. in ceramics.

I was a co-founder of Gallery Ten in Rockford.  The gallery showcased and sold fine art, had changing exhibitions from local, regional, and national artists, and set up workshops.

Since moving full time to Sarasota in 2002 I continue to be a studio artist and part time instructor.  My art work has been displayed in regional juried  and invitational exhibitions have won numerous awards. My work has been a part of a solo exhibition as well as a two person and three person exhibition, and group shows.  My art work is included in private collections throughout the United States.

As an artist I work with slabs of clay to create  three-dimensional constructions which are embellished with natural materials.  The sculptural pieces have an earthy quality about them, as though of a culture from the past.  They often evoke a primal or contemporary tribal feeling.  Forms, shapes, texture, and materials of some African, America’s First Nations, and the Pacific Basin areas have all had an impact on my work.  The basics of fire, water, and earth, are a part of the pieces.  Natural materials of bamboo, copper, palms, reed, wood,  linen thread finish the art work in a unique manner. 

Clay is such a wonderful expressive materials that is so responsive to the slightest touch.  It is an excellent material for sensory exploration and is so forgiving, one can always rework the clay.  Working with clay brings back our early, simple, responsive investigations.  Clay allows one to explore line, shape, form, texture.

Working with clay and the earth has been my passion since I was little.  Gardening and creating art explore the cycles of plants, people, the earth.  Also working in an authentic style Japanese garden has helped me see the subtle nuances and understandings of our plant world.  Working with plants and nature is therapeutic.  To that extent I have worked towards and received certification from The American Horticulture Therapy Association as a Horticultural Therapy Technician.  I have also completed my training as a Master Gardener in Sarasota.

People, plants, and clay…they are a natural together!