Sharing our knowledge, Making connections, Giving Encouragement & Inspiring Each Other
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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.
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. I signed up for ceramic classes at Portland Community College where I got 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 Ceramic Showcase, other shows and galleries and had my work displayed in Japan.
For years I ran around flitting from one job to another, country after country, until at some point I needed just one credit to graduate. Since the only constant in all of my chaos was an obsession with seeking out (and often purchasing) ceramics I figured I should take a class to really appreciate it. That was ten years ago now - that one credit spiraled into an extra major and a surprise career.
Sitting at a wheel was the first time my brain ever went still, and eventually my life followed. I settled, started a business, and now I get to make beautiful vessels for people to use and enjoy everyday. I try to recreate that sense of calm and quiet I get on the wheel in the pieces I make so anyone can share in that stillness. While I love my solitary practice I’m so excited to expand my ceramic world and work through OPA.
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.
Maya O'Neil has been obsessed with clay since she was a small child. She got a degree in fine and applied arts with a focus in clay in 2000, and then took an 18 year break for a career in academic medicine. While she still loves her day job as a clinician and Professor, she is happily back to the world of clay in her free time. Her current ceramics obsession is creating dynamic glaze and surface effects in atmospheric firings. Maya is happy to support OPA as the treasurer.
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.
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