Mary German is a ceramic artist and educator based in North Texas whose work explores the relationship between natural processes and material transformation. Working in porcelain and atmospheric firing processes, she creates vessels and sculptural forms that are inspired by the textures, patterns, and cycles found in the natural world. Through soda and reduction firing, she embraces the collaboration between artist, clay, and kiln, allowing each firing to become an extension of the unpredictable forces that shape nature itself. German earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2014 before completing both a Master of Arts (2016) and a Master of Fine Arts (2018) at the University of Dallas. Her graduate research investigated the preservation of ephemeral natural forms—such as seeds, cocoons, and botanical specimens—through porcelain, resulting in work that reflects themes of transformation, growth, and decay. More recently, her studio practice has evolved toward functional porcelain vessels whose richly textured surfaces evoke geological formations, water, erosion, and organic patterns while maintaining a strong connection to atmospheric firing traditions. Her work has been exhibited in regional and national exhibitions throughout Texas, Oklahoma, California, and Louisiana. In addition to her studio practice, German is an accomplished educator with experience teaching ceramics at the secondary and collegiate levels throughout North Texas. She has taught at community arts centers, colleges, and universities, and is serving as the Ceramics Professor at Baylor University for the Fall 2026 semester. Her commitment to education emphasizes technical excellence, thoughtful material exploration, and fostering confidence and creativity in emerging artists.
