Originally from Tulsa Oklahoma, Valerie Banes Hancock earned her BFA in Ceramics and Photography from the University of Oklahoma in 2009 and her MFA in Ceramics from the University of North Texas in 2012. Since 2013, she has served as the Ceramics Visual Art Technician and an Adjunct Professor at UNT, where she manages the ceramics facilities and teaches undergraduate ceramics courses. She also maintains a home studio, where she continues to develop and create her work. My functional pottery is made from wheel-thrown and altered porcelain, fired to cone 10 in oxidation—either in a soda kiln or an electric kiln. I’m especially drawn to how altered forms displace liquids and food out of the traditional round and into distinctive and individual contours. To highlight these alterations, I use the soda during firing (or apply a wash that mimics soda effects in an electric kiln) to create a contrast between satin and glossy surfaces. This contrast enhances the work’s visual character while also offering a tactile experience. Through altered functional dinnerware and serving pieces, I aim to encourage moments of pause —inviting people to slow down and savor time spent restoring, connecting, and celebrating with family and friends over a shared meal.
