BARB HALLBERG

-Raku Pottery-

I was born and grew up on the prairie of South Dakota. I graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD with a degree in art and studied pottery with Carlos & Sherian Frey in Wayne, NE for 4 summers after graduation. I taught for the National Forest Service at Boxelder Job Corps in Nemo, SD, as well as raku classes for BHSU in Spearfish, SD. I am now retired from teaching and work as an artist full time from my home studio. Raku pottery is, for me, a basic art form, in that it utilizes the basic elements of my environment– clay and minerals from the earth, fire for the metamorphosis, air to bring out the metallic sheens, and water to set and stabilize the chemical reactions. No two pieces are ever the same. No matter how meticulous the potter is, there is no way to completely control nature’s basic elements. Each piece is a surprise as it comes through the firing process. My ideas & designs come from the land itself. My inspiration comes from the sunsets, the forests, the roll of the prairies, and the images from my everyday life. At times, into my designs, I incorporate wood, rocks, antlers, bones and stones from the land & the creatures that share the land with us. I try to bring all these elements together to create a piece that represents my vision of the land where I grew up and the “Spirit of Dakota” that shapes the lives of all of us who are fortunate to be touched by that spirit.

This page represents items that may be available at the gallery, please stop by to see!

605.574.4440 joncranegallery@gmail.com