Mary McFarlin Receives the 2015 Cleo Curtis Award

The 2015 recipient of the prestigious Cleo Curtis Award was Mary McFarlin.

Mary started doing ceramics in the late 70's at a local ceramic shop. It seemed like everything she worked on did not turn out or was not usable. So in the mid 1980's she found out about a ceramic show in Denver, CO. She went to the show and met Donna Poole, whom helped her a lot. Donna told her about Duncan basic classes being held in Denver. (At that time the certification was 8 days long , 4 sessions of two days spans.) Over the course of the next year she obtained her certification, bought a kiln, some molds, colors and went into business. Leta Smith was her first teacher and told her about NADCT convention and even paid her membership dues. It has been up hill from there. She met Pat Lackey and Pat started talking about getting involved and she did. She has served as Convention Director, Convention Registrar, Education Chairperson, Vice President and President.

Mary is still involved in business (the only full service shop left in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah.). She teaches all clay bodies; earthenware, stoneware, porcelain and now some glass. She has continued with her own education and has over 75 credits hours in Duncan University Classes. Mary is also involved in the community with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4H of Western Colorado, Western Colorado Extension Services , Juvenile Detention Center, Mesa County Developmental Service (special needs individuals), School Districts around Colorado, nursing homes and senior citizen center in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah. In addition she now judges the 4H ceramics at county fairs. She still teaches several classes a week and is very involved in promoting ceramics to any one she can. Mary is also, very involved in Church, Schools, Daughters of the American Revolution, family, grandkids and loves life to the fullest!

Written by David Hoff