MARI EMORI
President
About Mari Emori
Clay has become my chosen medium of expression. My current work focuses on the water drop form as a metaphor for life and the environment. I use various surface treatments to address the hopes, fears, and realities we face today.
Visit her at: https://www.instagram.com/emoriceramics/
CHERYL COSTANTINI
Past President
About Cheryl Costantini
Cheryl and Mikio have been full-time studio potters since 1985. Prior to that, Cheryl apprenticed at 3 different potteries in Japan from 1979 to 1985. Their work is truly their own and some say you can spot a Nichibei pot from across the room.
SALLY JACKSON
Secretary
About Sally Jackson
There is great satisfaction in holding a finished piece of pottery that is useful and pleasing, but what I like best about working with clay is the link it forms between the ground, my hands, and the artistic impulse that led me to the wheel in the first place.
Visit her at https://sallygravesjackson.com/
APRIL ZILBER
Treasurer
About April Zilber
Intrigued by the interaction of light with transparent/translucent media such as water, glass, and stone, I am inspired by patterns and images found in wild and tended places.
Visit her at https://zilberglass.blogspot.com/
JOSEPH BATTIATO
Board Member
About Joseph Battiato
My life’s experiences are contained in the pots I create. My search for a deeper personal understanding is part of my creative process. The process of centering the clay, allows me to focus my thoughts and center myself. My approach to art is physical in nature. How my pots feel when I hold them is as important as the visual form they take.
TRUDY CHIDDIX
Board Member
About Trudy Chiddix
My current work combines ceramics and fused glass to create vessels, wall pieces, and abstract figures. The contrast between textured clay and shiny transparent glass adds dynamic visual interest to the pieces. I am inspired by traditional folk arts as well as by the endless variety found in nature.
Visit her at: www.trudychiddix.com
VICKI GUNTER
Board Member
About Vicki Gunter
Clay has memory. It records your fingerprints and the ways you held it in your hands. Our earth has a memory and responds to our manipulations. My work in clay draws from the knowledge that everything…us, our food, home, clothes, tools, toys all come from the ‘clay’ of the earth. My hope is, that we will seek solutions in nature-based knowledge to grow, gather, love and consume with justice for all. Leaving the smallest fingerprint. Inspired by its no-waste complexity, nature is my source and anchor, in wild places and my home-studio in East Oakland. I value clay’s infinite potential − mirroring our own.
Visit her at https://vickigunter.com
Instagram: @vickigunter
IVER HENNIG
Board Member
About Iver Hennig
I am a ceramic artist and educator living in the Santa Cruz Mountains. My work consists of wheel thrown and hand sculpted pieces using themes of animals combined with mechanical oddities.
Visit Iver at https://www.iverhennig.com/
Instagram: @iver_hennig_ceramics
SONJA HINRICHSEN
Board Member
About Sonja Hinrichsen
I arrived in ceramics 9 years ago via conceptual art. While my video installations and environmental art events awaken a sense of awe for the sublime of nature, I hope that my ceramics can heighten personal environments (homes). Eating and drinking are sacred acts that connect us to our planet. I believe that beautiful handcrafted vessels made from its elements will elevate this experience.
Visit her at http://www.sonja-hinrichsen.com
Instagram: @sonjahinrichsen
CHRIS JOHNSON Jury Coordinator
About Chris Johnson
“Glass is a mystery. blowing is like a frantic meditation requiring total focus and utter detachment. No wonder I can’t get it right. I will keep trying.”
Visit Chris at his instagram site: https://www.instagram.com/chrisjohnsonglass/
or his website.
REN LEE Communications
About Ren Lee
San Joaquin Valley clay artist, exploring clay horizons and making lots of imperfectly provocative handbuilt sculpture objects with a side objective of exploring wide ranging techniques for the purpose of building a catalog of teaching tools. I joined the board to expand my community’s involvement/awareness in the ACGA and vice-versa. My studio is @clayhandstudios in Fresno and I love critters, home cooking, and good books.
Visit Ren at https://www.instagram.com/renleestudio/
or https://www.facebook.com/renleestudio
LEE MIDDLEMAN
Festival Committee
About Lee Middleman
I throw classic forms and use surface textures to give them energy and vitality, resulting in art that is both pleasing and alive. I seek to create patterns and textures that emphasize the organic interplay between order and randomness as found in Nature.
Visit him at http://www.LeeMiddleman.com
BARBARA PRODANIUK
Board
Member
About Barbara Prodaniuk
My current work includes ceramic sculptures, wall pieces, and functional pottery using wheel-thrown and slab construction techniques. Sculptural pieces may include some mixed media elements. I draw inspiration from daily life and the abundance of natural forms around me. I am a full-time potter living and working in Truckee, Ca since 1981.
Visit her at: https://bgppottery.com/
Instagram: @bgprodaniuk
SUSIE RUBENSTEIN
Board
Member
About Susie Rubenstein
I am a potter working in porcelain making ware that defines and enlivens daily our routines. The challenge, objective and adventure are to make spirited and beautiful pieces for daily use.
Visit her at https://www.susierubenstein.com/
JAN SCHACHTER
Exhibitions
Coordinator
About Jan Schachter
I enjoy making pots for everyday use; each is a subtle variation of a form – usually created in a series. I am a perfectionist (as much as the process allows) and am constantly in search of the perfect surface and ideal form while striving to create pots that have life and vitality.
Visit her at http://www.janschachter.com
EMIL YANOS
Membership Coordinator
About Emil Yanos
Ceramic Sculptor Emil Yanos has been working with clay since 1993. Through experimentation, he has found that working with clay provides an excellent opportunity to explore color and texture. Emil’s goal is to communicate meaning, extending beyond the visual form to encourage an emotional response.
Visit him at: https://www.emilyanosdesign.com/