BARBARANN
BECKETT-GAINES
CLAY ARTIST |
I had the good fortune of growing
up tied to the apron strings of a very artistic mother. I was
encouraged to make all kinds of crafts, but when it was time to
decide on academic directions, I took the fork in the road that
led me into mathematics and computer science. I attended Samford
University and Vanderbilt University.
While teaching high school mathematics, I became interested in
pottery. I give credit to a friend who was the art teacher at
the same school. One day she came to my class room and told me
that "the" new potter's wheel had arrived. I dug right in, and
needless to say, found that throwing a pot was much more
difficult than it appeared. But no number of failures could calm
my excitement. |
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Later, I joined the faculty at
Jefferson State Community College in the Division of Computer
Science. Wedged between study and teaching, I found time to take
pottery courses at the college and elsewhere. Along the way, I
sought instruction from anyone who could teach me something
about clay. I love clay when I am shaping it into a treasure.
In recent years I have enjoyed hand building and decorating my
pieces with my personally designed stamps related to my favorite
subject (guess what?) as you can see in these pictures. |
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| After I retired from Jefferson
State a few years ago, I was invited to become
Artist-in-Residence at the then-new Spain Park High School in
the Hoover School System. I have been busy in the Art Department
working with the students and in the Park Gallery at the school.
I also find time to make a few vessels, plates and plaques. |
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This is not an artist's statement to tell you
how to interpret my work. Anyone with eyes can see that it is
non-functional and decorative. My goal is to produce a smile on
your face when you look at it. |
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