Mary Jane Elgin – Ceramics and Classes, Orcas Island.
Mary Jane’s ceramics evoke the natural world and are reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts movement with pierced, sculptural, textured surfaces finished with earth and plant colored glazes. She is actively involved with the Orcas Artworks Coop Gallery in Olga and co-leads the annual Orcas Artist Studio Tour. Her popular ceramics classes convene at her studio in Eastsound serving adults and children, including grandparents exploring clay and fired glazes with their grandchildren.
Mary Jane grew up drawing, painting, sewing and exploring calligraphy filled her free time. Graduating with a major in studio art from Pomona College, she headed for Japan where she lived for two years, studying sumie painting and weaving. In the early 1990’s she began a serious exploration into the world of ceramics at the Creative Arts Group in Sierra Madre and developed the technique of piercing her ceramics to create botanical and landscape scenes.
She has taught art classes and been a freelance muralist and illustrator for the last thirty years. Her artistic vision has led her on a search for ways to combine the themes and forms which resonate with her. In an effort to create a new and unique space, she has been refining her ceramic techniques, bringing to the viewer to a fresh consideration of form along with a new appreciation for materials and aesthetic.
Makers Guild Directory listing and contact
Guild Member since 2019
