I went to my friend Ed Gray’s studio in southwest Michigan in January 2002 and again in November to work without distraction to throwing very large pots. I was able to make eleven pots in the first two week period, a few on which I applied terra sigillata, a polished clay finish, and then smoke fired them. The rest I brought home and fired them to stoneware temperature with glazes. Applying the glaze was another challenge because of their weight and size.

During my second trip to Ed’s in the fall, in five weeks I made about 20 tall pots where I adapted the teapot theme for most. These were fired in a primitive bonfire pit. Results are always a surprise and there is not much control but the colors are magical by using oxides that react to the flames. I also studied the Japanese aesthetic of wabi sabi, where one accepts the gift of the earth, fire, air and water as it comes from the pit. To give permanence to these pots, I applied finishes that make them weatherproof to discourage fading and giving them inner strength.

1966              Toledo Museum of Art School, Toledo, OH (Glass Blowing: F. Dreisbach) 
1951-52         Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI (Pottery: M. Grotell)
1948 & 1950 Toledo Museum of Art School, Toledo, OH (Pottery: 1950 H. Littleton)
1944-45         American Academy of Art, Chicago, IL (Commercial and Fine Art)
1943-44         Feather and Feather Art School, Houston, TX (Commercial and Fine Art)
1929-32         Toledo Museum of Art School, Toledo, OH (Children's Art Classes)

SEMINARS CONDUCTED AND HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS:

• Ed Gray Studio, Fennville, MI, 1999 (Wheel and Hand Building Workshop)

• Leland High School, Leland, MI, 1997 (Smoke firing w/terra sigillata Workshop)

• Charlevoix High School, Charlevoix, MI, 1997 (Smoke firing w/terra sigillata Workshop)

• John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC,  1984-91 (Beginning to Advanced Wheel Classes)

• Vrå Folkhøjskole, Vrå, Denmark, Jan. through Mar. 1988-1990

• Longboat Key Art Center, Bradenton, FL, 1990

• Five Folkhøjskoles, Denmark, Jan. through Mar. 1987

• Potters' League, West Palm Beach, FL

• William Boniface Art Center, Escanaba, MI

• Upper Peninsula Crafts Council, Sault Ste. Marie, MI

• Oakland Community College, Royal Oak, MI, 1979

OCCUPATIONS:

1993 to present
Teaching workshops occasionally. Published two videos on Processes in Clay for the Beginner and Throwing with Slabs and Coils. Full time professional potter, showing work at Cycling Salamander Gallery, Charlevoix, Northern Michigan Artists Market, Crooked Tree Art Tree Gallery, Petoskey and Vertin Gallery, Calumet, Mich.

1991 to 1993
Recruited by the Canton, MS Tourism and Development Bureau Director to create a new Art and Craft School in the town square in Canton, MS to offer weekly classes in various arts and crafts.  Assisted the Director as Program Director for the Allison's Wells School of Arts & Crafts, Inc.

1987 to 1991
Program Director, Elderhostel Coordinator and Advisor to the Director for the John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC. Traveled to Denmark for three winters as an exchange pottery teacher in five folk schools.

1984 to 1987
Resident Potter, Advisor to the Director, Elderhostel Coordinator, Resident Photographer, Studio Coordinator at the John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC.

1965 to 1984
Established studio and gallery with William Staffel near Charlevoix, MI.  Designed and produced functional pottery as well as one-of-a-kind stoneware and porcelain including sculpture, weaving and photography.  Created an apprenticeship program in my studio for aspiring potters.

2002
Feature Article, Fine Arts Ceramics. 

EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS: 

Received many awards, participated in numerous one-man and two-man shows in Michigan and Ohio since 1952 to present, work was accepted in area, regional and national museum competitions, including several purchase awards.

Bonnie in Ed Gray's studio. Making big pots. 

Pitcher, pit fired 21" h X 10" w 

Teapot, pit fired 21" h X 7" w

Vessel, pit fired 
8" h X 6" w