DOM VENZANT

Artist Statement

I learned to make pots from a man named Gerry Punt in the spring of 2002. Being introduced to clay as a ceramic material was a transformative experience for me.  My small campus housed a few historic buildings in South Dakota as well as a number of World War 2 barracks complexes originally designed to be temporary accommodation.  The ceramics classes were housed in the partially windowed barracks towards the center of the complex.

I was a senior in college when I first had the opportunity to take a ceramics class.  I was a Biology Major who needed to complete a fine art requirement in order to graduate. On the first day of class we talked about clay, on the second day we wedged.  Returning to class sore on the third day class had me curious about what was going on…and on that day I forgot about the ache in my back and arms as I became mesmerized by an incredibly gracious bearded man named Gerry.