Carol Mantey
Pottery is the medium I choose to reflect my love of nature - incorporating nature themes, patterns and textures into bowls, vases and sculptural pieces. Photographing details in nature, going up close with a macro lens allows me to remember details later. Also I am an active bird watcher and photographer. I sketch birds and study animal and human skeletons to better understand structure before I start a pottery piece.
Some of my work is functional. I do enjoy creating pieces that can be incorporated into the pattern of daily life. However, recently, I have been focusing more on sculptural work. I am fascinated by the human form expressing emotions, abstract nature forms and animal sculpture. This work enables me to more directly express my joy in nature and concern for its future.
I fire with groups of potters using a wood/salt kiln in Wisconsin which reaches temperatures over 2000 degrees. I also fire in a gas kiln which creates similar effects as wood but in a shorter firing timeframe. The resulting glaze finish varies depending on how the smoke and fire interacts with each surface.
I graduated from University of Michigan with a minor in History of Art. I worked at United Airlines for over 30 years in Marketing and Advertising. I first studied ceramics in Chicago at Salt Creek Pottery. Since moving to Galena over 20 years ago, I have been able to dedicate more time to my interest in art. I studied with Charles Fach and was an associate at the Stone House Pottery in Galena for five years. I also belonged to a co-operative group of potters in Dubuque Iowa called Mississippi Mud Studios.
Thirteen years ago, I built my own studio at our home outside Galena. I have found that having private workspace enables me to be more creative. It is exciting to take on new challenges and move beyond functional pottery to create forms that express my love of nature and my concern about the diminishing scope of the natural world.
I served on the Galena Center for the Arts Board for five years. I am active in the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, am a citizen/scientist for US Fish and Wildlife and participate in Audubon bird counts. I exhibit and sell in various art shows and festivals and have been accepted in the Dubuque Museum biennial Juried Art Show twice and the juried Freeport Museum art show five times.
Some of my work is functional. I do enjoy creating pieces that can be incorporated into the pattern of daily life. However, recently, I have been focusing more on sculptural work. I am fascinated by the human form expressing emotions, abstract nature forms and animal sculpture. This work enables me to more directly express my joy in nature and concern for its future.
I fire with groups of potters using a wood/salt kiln in Wisconsin which reaches temperatures over 2000 degrees. I also fire in a gas kiln which creates similar effects as wood but in a shorter firing timeframe. The resulting glaze finish varies depending on how the smoke and fire interacts with each surface.
I graduated from University of Michigan with a minor in History of Art. I worked at United Airlines for over 30 years in Marketing and Advertising. I first studied ceramics in Chicago at Salt Creek Pottery. Since moving to Galena over 20 years ago, I have been able to dedicate more time to my interest in art. I studied with Charles Fach and was an associate at the Stone House Pottery in Galena for five years. I also belonged to a co-operative group of potters in Dubuque Iowa called Mississippi Mud Studios.
Thirteen years ago, I built my own studio at our home outside Galena. I have found that having private workspace enables me to be more creative. It is exciting to take on new challenges and move beyond functional pottery to create forms that express my love of nature and my concern about the diminishing scope of the natural world.
I served on the Galena Center for the Arts Board for five years. I am active in the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, am a citizen/scientist for US Fish and Wildlife and participate in Audubon bird counts. I exhibit and sell in various art shows and festivals and have been accepted in the Dubuque Museum biennial Juried Art Show twice and the juried Freeport Museum art show five times.
