Kathy Zender
Potter
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Featured Artist September/October 2016
Chewelah Arts Guild member Kathy Zender and her husband, Steve, moved to Chewelah in the fall of 1974 when Steve was transferred with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Kathy started teaching in Chewelah in 1977 and she loved her "little school." She jumped around a lot and taught 1st grade for 5-6 years, 3rd grade, 2-3 grade combos, 4th grade and 4-5 combos. "I was so lucky to work with great teachers. Chewelah.... you have some of the best and most dedicated educators and wonderful students and families."
It was actually Steve who got Kathy started in pottery when he met Mike Swatzell. Mike was teaching pottery in the basement of the Woodland Theater in Kettle Falls and Kathy started taking lessons in the fall of 1978 and continued for 3 years. "Mike taught many of the basics I use today. I slowly started getting the equipment to build my own studio in the basement of my home."
"In 2003, I started going to Pam Morgan's studio, Mud Dog Pottery, and spent many evenings with fun, talented ladies playing with clay. Pam was an amazing artist who encouraged creativity and forgiveness... mistakes are good, that's how we learn! I think of her often when I'm frustrated with a piece or I'm having a difficult stretch."
"Since I've retired, I have found a new joy in building different pieces and experimenting with glazes. Every time I open the kiln, it's always a surprise, ranging from OMG this is AMAZING to what the heck happened here!
Kathy does sell her work but she's not a line potter. "I usually make one or two pieces if I'm experimenting with ideas and glazes and then move on to something different. Right now, I'm totally obsessed with sgraffito, hand-built pieces, and using under-glazes. If I don't have the piece on hand, the turn around time from start to finish is about a month depending on how complicated the project is."
To contact Kathy email: [email protected]
Chewelah Arts Guild member Kathy Zender and her husband, Steve, moved to Chewelah in the fall of 1974 when Steve was transferred with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Kathy started teaching in Chewelah in 1977 and she loved her "little school." She jumped around a lot and taught 1st grade for 5-6 years, 3rd grade, 2-3 grade combos, 4th grade and 4-5 combos. "I was so lucky to work with great teachers. Chewelah.... you have some of the best and most dedicated educators and wonderful students and families."
It was actually Steve who got Kathy started in pottery when he met Mike Swatzell. Mike was teaching pottery in the basement of the Woodland Theater in Kettle Falls and Kathy started taking lessons in the fall of 1978 and continued for 3 years. "Mike taught many of the basics I use today. I slowly started getting the equipment to build my own studio in the basement of my home."
"In 2003, I started going to Pam Morgan's studio, Mud Dog Pottery, and spent many evenings with fun, talented ladies playing with clay. Pam was an amazing artist who encouraged creativity and forgiveness... mistakes are good, that's how we learn! I think of her often when I'm frustrated with a piece or I'm having a difficult stretch."
"Since I've retired, I have found a new joy in building different pieces and experimenting with glazes. Every time I open the kiln, it's always a surprise, ranging from OMG this is AMAZING to what the heck happened here!
Kathy does sell her work but she's not a line potter. "I usually make one or two pieces if I'm experimenting with ideas and glazes and then move on to something different. Right now, I'm totally obsessed with sgraffito, hand-built pieces, and using under-glazes. If I don't have the piece on hand, the turn around time from start to finish is about a month depending on how complicated the project is."
To contact Kathy email: [email protected]