Mark Pharis

Mark was educated at the University of Minnesota where he is a professor in the Department of Art. He was chair of the art department from 1998 – 2004. From 2005 – 2008 he was Associate Dean in the College of Liberal Arts. He lives and works in western Wisconsin’s heartland.

Mark has a long history of innovation in his work. He moved from wheel throwing and altering forms to hand formed sculptural vessels, yet, he intends his pots to be used with food. He uses CAD software to work out two-dimensional patterns and assembles his pots by cutting forms and piecing them together.

Mark works as a seamstress would employing patterns to make volumes. He frequently experiments with other materials, using sheet lead, cardboard, and cast iron. Many potters’ respect his work; he has been influential, not only in his manner of working, but in the forms that he generates.