Jane Lawrence Receives the 2021 Cleo Curtis Award

This lady found a passion for the art of ceramics while attending high school in her home state of Iowa. She had an exceptionally talented teacher who encouraged her a lot. She actually did not pursue ceramics until she landed in Oklahoma. She enjoyed a small portable building of a friend that they called her ceramic shop. Within a year she found herself detailing pieces to put in her retail shop. After her friend moved out of state, she met her husband and was married in 1984. In the fall of 1985, she opened her own shop. In the spring of 1986, she brought certification in Duncan products to her shop, followed by Mayco the next spring. She supports and teaches Colors for Earth, and whatever else she can find and share. She has been certified in everything she could possibly find and has been teaching for over 25 years. She travels anywhere and everywhere to gain any new techniques, products, tools, etc. She is a sponge for knowledge. She brings it all home and shares her talent with those of us that do not have the opportunity to travel. She comes up with new classes every month to keep her students excited. She has earned many awards, some of which are on display in her shop. She even gave one up to a person that earned the award, but the physical piece never arrived. She was one of the main people involved in the beginning of the IADCCT chapter in her state. She deserves this award as she is the major supporter of ceramics in her area and in any area that she can travel to and teach. She has been and is currently the Education Director for convention under several presidents. She has been responsible for some of the best classes at convention. She wants everyone to be successful and will do everything in her power to encourage her students. She has also been one of the main people to support and participate in the GTCA (Greater Tulsa Ceramic Association). She has helped plan ceramic shows in our area, as well as competitions. Even when not an officer in any of these organizations she plays a strong leadership role in supporting ceramics in our area. She allows us to use her shop for our chapter meeting and comes up with classes and teaches when other members are hosting a meeting. She always plays a major role in all the regionals we have held. She recently (2017 we think) became a Duncan Ambassador in our area to help with the education in our area shortly after our Ambassador Cathy Housley had her stroke in December of 2016. We are extremely glad she did. They just do not come this special, talented, supporting and encouraging.

Written by Ann Barton and Cathy Housley with additional information contributed by Donna Gould