Ceramics Faculty

JAY WALSH; Department Chair

I am a teacher and ceramic artist. My primary focus is on classical forms and combined pieces which incorporate traditional oriental glazes. I am influenced by traditional Chinese and Japanese forms as well as the Arts and Crafts movement styles. My attempts are to use these forms and glazes in more non-traditional methods.

EMILIE BOUVET-BOISCLAIR

I believe that our most human moments are when we are present and focused, open to possibility and willing to follow a path, just to see what it holds. Ceramics has managed to hold these aspects of curiosity for me, going on a decade. I am challenged to make pieces which preform a function, but can exist beyond that, into the realm of beauty. twinettepoterie.com

MATT BREJ 

Matt Brej was born in Elk Grove, IL.  Raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago in Barrington, IL, music and art have been constant motivations and influences instilled in him since a young age.  After graduating from the Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Larkin High School, Matt would go on to complete an Associate’s Degree in Fine Arts at Elgin Community College.  He later would travel to Alfred, NY to complete his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 2011.  After being involved in a nearly fatal car accident on Friday, April 13^th, 2012, he knew that he had been given a second chance/ renewed sense of life.  In 2018, he became a Master of Fine Arts by completing the graduate program at Northern Illinois University. 

PATRICIA DAVOUST

Patricia Davoust has been teaching since she was 15, and since the early 1980’s, she has been an active participant in the Chicagoland arts community. She studied sculpture at DePaul and the Art Institute of Chicago. She has worked with all ages in a variety of settings. She has permanent public art installations in Batavia and Aurora, Illinois, and has become an award winning alternative fashion designer. She has lived, and explored her passion for ceramics in the US, France and South Africa. She loves to explore the natural world and share her knowledge!

 

NATALYA SOTS

Natalya is an artist originally from Pavlodar, Kazakhstan but has lived in Chicago’s suburb of Schaumburg since 2002. She got started as an artist in high school when she worked at a ceramics factory where she decorated the dishes before they were glazed and fired. She continued this work while attending school at the University of Semipalatinsk where she completed a degree in Art Education. See her work and visit her website at: natalyasots.com

JODI YOUNGLOVE

After receiving her M.F.A. in 1996 from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Jodi began her teaching career and has taught throwing and handbuilding at area community colleges, high schools, community centers and private colleges. Jodi’s  work can be seen and purchased at her etsy shop, www.jlyoungloveceramics.etsy.com and at www.jodiyounglove.com