Deborah Schwartzkopf

I find myself making a full circle as I have recently moved back to Seattle Washington, my childhood home after ten years of traveling for school, residencies and job opportunities. The northwest is gorgeous, the bustling city life exciting and the mountains give me a restful retreat. I feel home when I see Mt. Rainier looming in the distance. Currently, I am transitioning from making pots at Pottery Northwest to working in my own private studio at my home.
I initially left Seattle in the winter of 1999, transfering to the University of Alaska Anchorage. I found an engaging clay community that challenged me in many ways. Working for professional studio potters inspired me to translate my education in clay into a life style. After completing a BA in Art, I moved to San Diego, California for a year of independent study at San Diego State University. In the spring of 2005, I completed a Masters in Fine Arts at the Pennsylvania State University
The following summer I traveled to China through an NCECA student show award. I stayed at Sanboa Ceramics Art Institute in Jingdezhen and traveled across the country to Western China. (click on Sanboa for pictures) I received the Lilian Fellowship to be a resident artist at the Archie Bray Foundation in 2005. Helena, Montana was an amazing place to live and the time to develop myself professionally. Through the generous support of the Artist-in-Residence program I was able to focus and refine my work. For the 2007-08 school year I was pleased to be apart of the Ohio University as a Visiting Assistant Professor. It was refreshing to be in the dialouge and deadline driven atmosphere of acedamia. During the 2008-09 year I was an Artist in Residence at Mudflat Studios near Boston in Somerville, MA. The summer of 2009 I made the 3300 mile journey across the country back to Seattle to work at Pottery Northwest and teach at Seward Park Clay Studio... After settling in Seattle, I had a short residency as a Guest Artist at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia (Jan/Feb 2010). Presently I feel inclined to sink my roots into the rich community and lush environment of the Pacific Northwest. It feels good to be home!