Born in Michigan, JoAnn has spent most of her life involved in the Arts. There, along with the advertising field and publishing, she was also a teacher of fine art and handwork to both adults and children for 10 years.

Moving to North Carolina in the early 80’s, she opened and continues to operate a successful sign and design business over the last 20 years. Her love of and obsession with pottery was born here. Starting in 1989, working on her own and taking classes at The Craft Center at N.C. State, she explores the architectural aspects of the medium of clay combining wheel-thrown and handbuilt forms and textures of all kinds. Clay allows her soul to soar, her mind to dream and imagine, and her heart to love and mimic a reflection of nature and adventure. It’s a medium…”one never tires of!”

Among recent recognition from her peers, JoAnn took a Blue Ribbon & honorable mention from the 2002 North Carolina State Fair and an Excellence in Clay award from the Icarus International competition in Kitty Hawk for her work. The year 2003 has brought an Award of Distinction from Caswell County and an Honorable Mention from the Winston-Salem “Dimensions 2003” showing, as well as another N.C. State Fair Blue Ribbon and a second Excellence in Clay award from the Icarus competition in it’s final year marking the Centennial Celebration of the Wright Brothers history making flight.

JoAnn’s pots have been juried into shows in Raleigh, Rocky Mount, Kinston, Goldsboro, Southport, Durham, the Visual Art Exchange and others. A large body of her work is available for viewing or purchase by scheduling an appointment to visit her studio at Litmus Gallery at 312 W. Cabarrus St., Raleigh, NC.