Janet Runyan

Janet has a degree in fine arts from IUP, where she studied ceramics with Frank Ross. She has taken a number of graduate classes from Donn Hedman, who has greatly influenced and encouraged her sculptural work. Janet taught art for 18 years in the Marion Center Area School District; her young students have inspired an imaginative spirit in her work. She enjoys using clay to relate subtle commentary to issues that defy resolution. Most of her favorite pieces are hand-built sculptures, she also creates functional ware. Her sculptures are a combination of commentary and whimsy. Her evolving "Rabbit Wars Series" makes no direct statement, but asks you to consider the absurdity of war. 


Janet uses a humorous approach when thinking up a concept for her ceramic pieces; she uses them as a critique of societal issues. Her work has a very raw feel to it, which works well with the subject matter. The way that she applies the glaze creates believable, almost 3 dimensional texture. 

Laughing Sheep                                      Spotted Sheep
Ceramic                                                 Ceramic
$70                                                        $64

Small Rabbit Warrior
Ceramic
$100