Denise Widen

Hand Building using white stoneware is my main construction method. The ideas that I want to make concrete in the object seem to fit that method best. I make tableware that can be both artistic and functional, such as for use for fruit or home trinkets. I also like to consider whether every piece can also hang on the wall as a decorative piece.  I design shallow bowls or platters generally. While doing this, I am absolutely thinking that it is an alternate shaped canvas. I love to put slips on the work that can be a host to lots of colorful surface design. When I have access to a facility and a team, I also love the effects of wood firing. While using underglaze on a surface is a very different process to wood firing, the creation a rich surface filled with texture and color is what they have in common. I have a BS in Art Education from Wayne State with additional teaching certificates: secondary ELA, K-6 self contained classroom and early childhood education. I was an art teacher for ten years at the elementary level, and a kindergarten teacher for 20 years. I retired from public school teaching in 2024 but have remained active in the clay classes producing work at Henry Ford College since 2012. I currently teach adult continuing education classes in ceramics at one of the Wayne County Community College campuses to a lovely group of women who are living their best life learning and growing into being clay mavens.