Member Since: 2004 Media Specialties: Clay;Fiber; City: Elkin State: North Carolina County: Surry County, NC Bio: Mentor in clay Academically, I hold Master of Fine Arts Degrees in both Ceramics and Textile Design. Since 1978, Doris and the late Miska Petersham resided in many countries while working as field experts on ceramic, textile and general handcraft projects for both CARE International and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) out of Vienna, Austria. Prior to the overseas assignments, they both taught at various Universities in the US as well as being producing artist craftsmen. They both served in the United States Peace Corps in the Fiji Islands in the late 70s. It was the Government of Fiji ceramic project that was then undertaken by UNIDO, and thus followed by a number of other contracts with UNIDO in other countries around the world. A listing of the professional experiences can be supplied upon request. In 1998, Doris returned to the US from Tanzania after completing her assignment there and became a resident of Elkin, North Carolina. “I very much enjoy living in Elkin and the life style it affords.” I occasionally work short term advisory assignments for UNIDO and ITC-UNCTAD (International Trade Center- United Nations Center for Trade and Development). These missions are now mostly in African countries and deal for the most part with enhancing the products made by women entrepreneur’s who operate small scale textile businesses. Although a potter and textile designer, some computer skills, I have returned to my first love, CLAY with all it’s g;orious aspects. My work is full of color, whimsy and has both contemporary and heritage aspects. My current work has turned into pots that evoke an image of African women and their textile designs, truly a part of my past. I became involved with polymer clay and art doll sculpture as media for expression before my kilns and real clay were set up, which was the stimulus for some smaller jewelry pieces and a series of cloth art dolls. I continue to enjoy the multi media. I currently serve on the board as President of the Yadkin Valley Craft Guild and an advisory committee for Surry Community College in starting a professional crafts program. Irecently served six years on the Foothills arts Council. I am a member of Associated Artists of Winston Salem, the Carolina Clay Guild, Potters Council of America, and NCECA. I show in numerous galleries and have pieces in major collections, lists available upon request. I currently mentor a number of apprentices in the context of the YVCG Mentor Apprentice Program…an educational economic development effort by the Guild to assist with employment generation in the Yadkin Valley watershed region. I can be reached at 274 Church St., Elkin. North Carolina 28621. My phone is 336 835 7163, email; dpetersham@rivercto.net, Web sites: Doris Petersham@AFTOSAwebhosting.com, YadkinValleyCraftguild.org and Handmade in America.org., personal site coming soon. Artists statement: Having worked in clay since 1965, with interim overseas jobs in handcraft development geared to small enterprises, it is a true joy to be producing my own work again. My late husband was my ceramic professor at Kent State University and I still "hear him" telling me what to do now as I am working in my studio and evolve my creative endeavors. It is usually difficult to distinguish between work and play while I make art. Clay allows me to be in tune with myself while at the same time being totally productive, my greatest joy!! I anticipate the owner and/or viewer of my work will attest to this fact. Phone: 336 835 7163 Mobile: 336 575 5699 Fax: na Homepage: under construction This Member's Galleries: This bio page has been viewed 2949 times.
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