Michelle

Clay Artist

Michelle McCurdy has been studying and creating pottery for 40 years.  In 1978, she graduated from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California with a B.A. in Art. This is where she first fell in love with throwing pots, among a great group of students who encouraged each other to learn and grow. She then moved to Claremont, California where she graduated in 1982 with a Masters of Fine Arts in Ceramics. 
 
Michelle has studied with some amazing teachers, including American icon, Paul Soldner, who, upon graduation, asked her to move to Colorado to work at the Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village.  After 3 years at the Ranch, Michelle moved to Aspen and began teaching at Colorado Mountain College. Eventually she moved to Parachute and I set up her art studio, Running Horse Pottery,  on Morrisania Mesa above Parachute and began teaching at Colorado Mountain College in Rifle, Colorado where she still teaches today.

“Teaching is where I feel most comfortable and I believe this is what I am here to do.  Through teaching, I learn to see other perspectives and visions.  Selfishly, I use this to motivate my own work.  My students teach me many things! Teaching helps me stretch and push a little harder to find that illusive great pot. In my career I have been blessed to know and work with some of the most incredible potters and artists of our time.”