Lori Bonz

Artist Statement

I have enjoyed working with clay since I first experienced wheel throwing as a teenager. I attended the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls and completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics and a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education. Currently, I teach elementary art in the Des Moines public schools. At times, balancing work between my love of clay and my passion for teaching can be a struggle.

I strive to incorporate form and design into my work and am influenced by classical contemporary shapes. I find what I love and add it to my work. You will find some of my pieces accented with copper wire, glass knobs, geodes, dragonflies and beads. 

My work is constantly evolving as I enjoy wheel throwing as well as hand building. Lately, I have been working on a series of figures with movable arms and legs. I think of them as my dancers. Some collectors who own pieces of my work have told me they feel a sense of calm when viewing my pottery. This may have something to do with the colors of the glazes I choose and how each piece is accented.