Bea Stinson, Ceramic Artist

My passion for pottery started in Kindergarten when I made my first piece in clay. My more serious ceramic studies, however, began in 2001. Studying at Earth Center Pottery in Bucks County, PA, under ceramic artist Jennifer Miller, my passion exploded. There I learned all of the basics of wheel throwing and hand building, took an intensive throwing workshop with Stephen Jepson along with many other weekend workshops. Through that time, my innate artistic abilities were revealed and the utility of my pieces grew.  

In late 2015 my husband and I moved from the Philadelphia area to Southwest Florida. After having taken a long break from ceramics prior to our move, I decided to continue my ceramic education at the Marco Island Center for the Arts. I have embraced expanding my creative senses in many workshops at the arts center including new techniques in surface decoration, altering pots, carving, trimming, and working with different clays.  In addition, I have done intensive coursework with acclaimed artists, including a porcelain workshop with Jennifer McCurdy, a  throwing class with Jana Evans, an in-depth throwing and spray glazing workshop with Steven Hill and a form class with Glenn Woods.  

Working from both the Marco Island Center for the Arts studio and the studio in my home in Naples, I create a variety of artistic pieces, many of which feature gold, silver or copper leaf accents and medallions.  I continue to expand my expertise through experimenting with new forms and taking workshops at the art center and at symposiums, conferences and intensive training classes across the country.

Artist Statement

My work reflects a sense of order and symmetry while possessing a certain fluidity. Each piece I make echoes with my spiritual essence through the simplicity of form and the intricacy of my surface designs.

I continually create art that challenges my abilities thus enabling me to move into new directions and expand my way of thinking. I strive to express my optimism through my work with the hope that the user will somehow connect with my pieces beyond their intended purpose.