Hi, I’m Jo!

I began working with clay in 2012, but it wasn’t until 2020 that I was able to commit to pursuing ceramics full time. Since then, I developed this website storefront and have had the opportunity to show work in galleries throughout Oregon and Washington. 

From 2021-2024, I had the pleasure of working in a community ceramics studio in Portland, OR. I was hired as a technician and within 6 months, I became one of the studio’s ceramics instructors. While teaching and working as a technician, I was promoted to studio supervisor where I worked closely with ownership in developing and managing operational systems.

In 2023 and again in 2024, I was invited to lead workshops at Sou’Wester/Ilwaco Clay Studio in Washington. 

In September 2024, I moved to Missoula, Montana to continue pursuing ceramics and ceramics education.

Pottery is an ancient art that has been recycled and reinterpreted throughout history. We are all inspired by the pieces that precede us, whether they are from hundreds of years ago, decades, or from more recent contemporary work. This reimagining of the material, our forms and techniques, is a cycle— we revisit our relationship to clay with every new piece we make. 

My relationship with clay is rooted in the connection between the organic nature of the materials versus the refined, intentional aspects of ceramic art. The pieces I make are inspired by the textures and colors I see while walking around in this world (I often work from photographs I take while hiking) so incorporating the raw elements of wild clay (dug from the area from the photograph for example) or the intentional etching onto the work to pay homage to those natural elements is prevalent in every piece I make. I want each piece to speak to the environment in which it originated. 

In my work I aspire to reference historical work while highlighting the inherent harmony between clay and nature.

As an instructor I provide students with the foundations of wheel throwing and hand building with clay. I teach beginner wheel and hand building classes as well as specialty workshops. I cater to both beginners and advanced artists through project based learning techniques, working with students individually in the classroom to help them make the work that interests them.

CV

If you are interested in connecting or collaborating, reach out through the Contact Me form.