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. For the past 18 years Janet has taught art 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 comedic approach when coming up with new work. She uses social issues as inspiration for her sculptures. The subject matter of her work helps with the raw feel of the sculptures. She uses a glaze to give the pieces an abstracted 3 dimensional texture. You can catch Janet in our upcoming Potters Tour and she will be in our upcoming show on October 10th here at The Artist Hand.