JIM KERNS
untitled clay wall plate

"My first serious experience with clay was in 1968 as an art student at the University of Northern Iowa. We participated in our first art festival that year. The endless potential of clay tested through fire has kept my interest all these years. I have taught clay at several levels, including five years at the University of Northern Iowa. My real interest is in creating. I continue to work primarily in functional pottery, with occasional forays into sculpture.

My artist statement is a limerick:
(this comes from some rather tedious discussion on the boundaries of art and craft)

The process for making of urns.
Clay wet, clay dry, clay burns.
Is it art is it not.
Is it only a pot.
You be the judge, Jim Kerns"

text and image from Iowa Artisans Gallery