Donna Gates
Since I have been living in Leverett, my artwork has, for the most part, been in clay. My handbuilt sculptures evoke a sense of antiquity; abstract forms looking almost like bones or wood excavated from an archeological dig. They could be sacred objects used in unknown ceremonies. After the clay making process is finished I apply terra sigilatta, burnish each sculpture and fire them with various smoke processes.
As founder and director of Mudpie Potters Community Clay Center at Leverett Crafts & Arts, I enjoyed working with clay and people from 1993-2005 as director, teacher and clay artist. Before that time I worked as an art therapist and an art teacher in many different settings with many different media. My artwork has included many different media as well; painting, printmaking, drawing, clay, silverwork, papermaking and fiber arts.
Currently I sit on the Mudpie Board of directors and teach sculpture and pottery through private lessons or occasionally as an adjunct professor at Mt. Wachusett Community College. I am currently writing poetry with the Bear Mountain writers in Wendell and hope to do more with that in the future.