Dallas County
Clay Art
Becky Blaylock was a teacher and library
media specialist for twenty-eight years in the Selma City School System. She received a BS in Elementary Education
from the University of Montevallo, an MS in Elementary Education from the
University of West Alabama, and library media specialist certification from
Alabama State University. As a classroom
teacher she enjoyed incorporating the arts into the curriculum because the arts
created interest in the lesson.
The summer of 2007 at Auburn University in
Montgomery was her first experience in working with clay. She anticipated retiring from education in
2011 and was looking for another hobby.
She loved clay from the moment she first touched it and found herself
searching for additional opportunities in working with clay. Alabama Clay conferences were both educational
and inspiring. While participating in a
pottery class at the University of Montevallo she learned more about the
history and basics of pottery making.
U-Tube videos and books also proved to be valuable resources in her
quest to master the clay medium.
Nature plays a large role in her
inspiration for both the design and decoration of the pottery. Leaves, grasses and objects found in nature
create interesting textures in the clay that remind us of our earthly
surroundings. She primarily makes functional
pottery for the table that enhances the pleasure associated with food.