Christine O’Dea

As a child growing up in Gales Ferry, Connecticut, in the woods and near the sea, I found a rich visual environment that continues to provoke me while creating with clay.  I walked and wandered, picking up pieces of the earth.  I marveled at the colors, textures, and forms of stones, shells, sticks, hives, plants, nests, fish, bugs, and birds.  Since those days, I still pick up these small treasures as a pedestrian in the fast pace place this world can be.  I weave them into my ceramic sculptures, interested in the dialogue that emerges from this union.

After departing from Connecticut, I moved to Farmington, Maine to study.  In 1992, I graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Elementary Education, and a minor in Visual and Performing Arts.  From there, I moved to Denver, Colorado and began studying ceramics at Arapahoe Community College.  Later, I transferred to Metropolitan State College of Denver.  I received a degree in Fine Arts, Ceramics, in May 2000.

After graduation, I began teaching ceramics in a variety of environments such as public schools, after-school programs, and art centers.  I’ve shown my work on and off in Denver galleries through the past years.  Currently, I am interested in carrying my most recent artwork from its private, personal space into public view.