Sharing our knowledge, Making connections, Giving Encouragement & Inspiring Each Other
OPA board |
My first pottery experience was during a summer school ceramics course during my high school years. I made a couple really awful coil pots. Purple and yellow glazes. A bowl and a vase. Both leaked. It was fun but I didn't really get it. I didn't have a conversation with the clay. It wasn't until a couple decades had passed that I picked up a pot my girlfriend had made. There was this beautiful and durable object that had her finger marks, brush strokes, and signature. This was once an amorphous lump of clay. I was fascinated. One thing led to another and I signed up for ceramic classes at Portland Community College where Igot thoroughly hooked.
I became an OPA member in 1999 and have since held many positions in the organization including President and Ceramic Showcase Co-Chair. I've sold my pots at Showcase and other shows and galleries in the area. I've sold pieces at invitational shows and had my work displayed in Japan.
I'm looking forward to contributing again to our organization's ongoing success. I'm a firm believer in the fresh energy brought by new members and the lessons learned by our long-time members. I'm energized by the success of others and looking forward to discover how I can assist in their successes.
Utilizing ceramics as a medium to design contemporary artwork, expand ceramic knowledge, and cultivate innovative communities.
I began making ceramics as a tool to delve into the seemingly simple objects we use every day. With a background in Culinary Arts and Biochemistry, I use ceramics as a vehicle to explore the combination of artistic expression, functionality, and scientific experimentation. I work on various themes in my collections, seeking to understand the ways in which materials can be combined to create beautiful works while at the same time understanding the science behind those effects.
The importance of sharing knowledge and teaching others has remained a core philosophy in my practice. Through educating others and collaborating with talented artists, I aim to create a community of innovators that have a unique voice capable of discussing and exploring being through artistic output.
I love working with clay. I love every aspect of it: Forming wet clay; heating the clay in an incredibly hot kiln; using alchemy to mix colorful glazes from powdered rocks; designing and building kilns. I would rather spend my days doing these projects than doing anything else.
janetbuskirk@oregonpotters.org
Though she has been in love with clay from an early age, Anna Mac only recently returned to serious clay play. Anna has served on non-profit boards and as an officer in various organizations. She is eager to support OPA. Her ceramic work focuses on the fanciful and organic.
Allison Chown took her first official ceramics class in the Fall of 2022 and was instantly hooked. She was exposed to OPA through the bowl fundraiser this past fall. Joining OPA was an easy choice since there are so many opportunities for learning from other potters through our organization. Allison has served as a treasurer for another non-profit organization, and runs her own business.
I have been aware of OPA for many years, but just recently moved to Oregon. Because I always take an active part in any organization of which I am a member, I am willing to serve as Membership Director.
I have many years experience serving on the boards in a broad range of non-profit organizations, and I believe the strength of an organization is in it’s active members. I am relatively computer conversant, have good communication skills, and the energy to apply to learning this new role and the complexities of the Wild Apricot website.
My name is Jeff and I bring a pretty diverse background to the communication director role.
My journey into the world of ceramics is relatively recent, but it's a world I've come to absolutely love. Glazes, in particular, hold a special fascination for me. I enjoy the process of experimenting with color and flow, treating each new project as an opportunity to challenge myself and to continually strive for bigger and better results. My ultimate dream is to open a community studio someday with lots of custom glazes! Besides my ceramics studies at PCC, I also serve as the vice-president of the clay club. I'm also pursuing my Business Degree at the University of Oregon. I used to work as a private chef, a role that instilled in me an appreciation for functional ware for eating. Also, I should mention that I'm one of the ceramics lab technicians at PCC, Sylvania campus.
communication@oregonpotters.org
Dennis Portz, ceramic artist/potter. I create functional, handmade, cone 6, electric work under my business known as Portz Pottery. I live in north Portland and have a studio in SE Portland. My time is split between my two businesses, which are pottery and small fruit farming. Through most of the summer and fall, you will find me working just east of the Sandy river on a small rented acreage growing strawberries, raspberries, and other fruit crops. On weekends and through the rest of the year, I focus on my ceramic work and participate in many regional art shows. As an OPA member, I have been co-leading the fall fair, holiday fair, and other small sale events. I value membership retention and providing opportunities for OPA members to work with each other in sales and collaborations. I have been a member of OPA since 2018, but have been more of an active member since 2021.
Heather Brooks has been potting since high school where she spent every spare moment trying to make a 6 inch cylinder. Pottery returned for her in 2014 when she took a pottery class at a local cultural center. By this time she was also a seasoned bilingual teacher. She now has a small studio in her backyard and sells her work as Nevertheless Pottery. She’s pivoted from teaching to Art Therapy in order to pursue pottery further as well as to share with others the therapeutic nature of clay work. She also has 2 teen daughters, is a full time grad student and works with Morrison Family Services doing refugee resettlement.
heatherbrooks@oregonpotters.org 
There was never a time in my life when I wasn't involved in art. I draw, I paint, I block-print, I do stained glass, and I like to sew. When I went to college I tried a not to go into art, but (I know it sounds cheesy), the pull was too strong.
Though I love all mediums, the world of pottery is where I found "home". My ceramics professor was the first person who really embraced me and encouraged me to be myself, and my clay classmates became my family. I graduated from Colorado Mesa University with a BFA in studio art, emphasizing in ceramics and bronze sculpture.
Though I still dabble in all of the arts, I will always be drawn into the community that is built around clay.