I have been trained and have worked professionally in both two and three dimensional art most of my adult life. I have been creating ceramic objects since I first began community college at the College of San Mateo in 1966. It was there that I was first introduced to ceramics, by Vincent Roscone my “pottery” teacher.  Vince and I became close friends and traveled together many times over the years to the University of Sonora in Hermosillo Mexico, where we presented workshops in many aspects of the ceramic arts. Clay has been an important factor in my artistic evolution ever since and has provided me with countless creative challenges.  

Because of my positive experiences with Vince in Mexico I later in life became a member of Potters for Peace an organization that works with indigenous potters in Latin America. I have made ceramics in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Mexico. I learned as much if not more in my travels working with potters than I have in college classes and workshops in the united states.  

One of the main functions of Potters for Peace is teaching people how to make ceramic water filters and a way to filter water that is free from bacteria and other disease. The largest cause of death in children, in developing countries is attributed to drinking contaminated water.   Helping people create water filter factories as well as pottery, is the main work of PfP.      

Transporting and filtering of water has become a theme of much of my work.   The Potters for Peace philosophy has become an inspiration for much of my work. The “Canteen” which I am exhibiting in this show derives from a humanitarian place. It combines mostly ceramic elements with found objects. The underglaze decoration with arrows, stars, and bubbles create a happy cubist and pop art kind of imagery. Arrows pointing the way, stars lighting the journey. The function of a canteen is used for travel adventures.   It contains clean bacteria free drinking water on the trip to who know where, from imagination to reality here to there.

My higher education began at the College of San Mateo where I earned an Associates Degree in art.  I also studied at the California College of Art and Crafts in Oakland.  I finished my studies at the California State University Stanislaus in Turlock. I was awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in art, a Printmaking Certificate and a Masters Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. 

I have taught, art history, drawing, design and art appreciation, at several valley community college, including Delta, Merced, and Modesto Junior College.  My work has been exhibited in many west coast galleries and I have also had my work published in books and periodicals.    

I have a YouTube channel @donhallworks that currently has over 80 ceramic how-to videos that takes viewers step by step how to create ceramic objects. New videos are being added weekly.