Deb Garley

“I started studying ceramics only five years ago after I retired. The LBCC community education classes were a great way to learn the basics. I took the classes as long as Ted Ernst was teaching, until COVID hit, the classes stopped and Ted retired.

“By that time, I had firmly committed to hand-building. There is so much diversity with so many shapes to make, textures to apply and clays to use. I rarely make two of the same things. 

“When classes stopped, three friends and I started our own ceramics studio in my shop in Philomath. We met weekly for most of the COVID time. It was a life saver for me!

“After COVID, the studio continued—with some new members. We still meet fairly regularly. I love having groups of people over for shared ceramics experiences. Last summer Mag Ival taught Nerikomi; in the fall a group met to make owls. 

“My own work continues to be an exploration in form, function and fun. I welcome ideas from the guild for workshop ideas or just getting together for clay play.”