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In The Studio With Bill Persick

Linda Bell and Debbie Harris • Nov 12, 2020

Bill shows us what goes into the making of his signature bears

Bill Persick has been a member of the Mountain Regional Arts and Crafts Guild since

2008 and his pottery has been a mainstay at ArtWorks since that time. He is known especially

for his sculpted bears and lately for the many unique plates and platters he has been making.

Bill grew up as an orphan in Boys Town, Nebraska. During his high school years he

learned ceramics. After spending some time in the Coast Guard he returned to Boys Town to

work in the pottery shop. Under the GI bill he studied ceramic engineering for 2 years at New

York State College of Ceramics and then returned to Lincoln Nebraska to work in a pottery

shop. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska. He taught high school

math and art for 2 years before being offered an assistantship at Ohio State University to work

on his master’s degree. Bill met his wife while studying at Ohio University and later earned his PHD in ceramic

design there. His wife Roberta also earned a PHD in ceramic design and so his home contains an

amazing collection of pottery and blown glass. Bill taught at Eastern Carolina University for 2

years. From there he went back to Ohio State for 3 years and completed work on his PHD. He

then taught for 2 years in North Dakota , then moved to Monroe, Louisiana as chairman of the

art dept. for 6 years. . Bill and his wife, Roberta spent 21 years teaching at Jacksonville

University in Florida till their retirement. While at Jacksonville, Bill developed the glass blowing

program there. They moved to Hiawassee in 2000 to be near grandchildren. Sadly, he lost his

wife in 2006.By the way, Bill is a lively, active 93 year old! He is a member of the Standards

committee at ArtWorks and takes his turn working in the store. And he loves to play cards!

Bill Persick is an inspiration to every artist and crafter at ArtWorks.


New Paragraph

By Pam Coste 26 Sep, 2021
Your home’s design is a reflection of who you are. So why not upgrade its style to showcase your personality? From thoughtfully sourcing beautiful art pieces to adding new trim to your walls, simple additions can make your home feel lived in, inviting, and uniquely your own. If you want to make changes to your home’s design but don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered. We reached out to experts across North America, from Bellingham, WA to Calgary, AB , to give us their best tips on how to upgrade your home’s style. Keep reading to see what they had to say. 1) Create a stunning entranceway Freshen up your hallway or stairway by creating a theme or scene that evokes good memories, celebrates your favorite artist, or transports you to your favorite place or time. Whether you upcycle, buy new, create from scratch, or a combination of techniques, you can create an entrance that leaves the stress of the day at the door and makes your soul sigh with contentment. – Tracy’s Bespoke Creations 2) Bring the outside in to upgrade your home Bringing the outside in helps homeowners develop a stronger connection to nature and has become an essential component of modern interior design over the past year. Mature trees and lush landscaping can boost exterior curb appeal, while also inspiring the look and color palette of your interior. – Pinnacle Renovations 3) Incorporate architecture into your design Repainting, replacing, or adding new trim and moldings to your space will instantly transform the atmosphere and vibe of a room. Adding applied moldings to a wall to create paneling, and then painting a contrasting color to your wall color will instantly give your space depth and character. – Dexter Dolores Interiors 4) Invest in your favorite pieces Don’t wait on your forever home to start purchasing a thought-provoking piece of art, a carved side table, or a few pieces of favorite china. Start collecting good-quality heirloom pieces now so your pocketbook won’t take a hit when you’re faced with filling a new home with furniture and accessories. – The Blushing Saguaro 5) Start with the kitchen Modernize your kitchen by including cutting-edge integrated appliances, unique flooring materials, interesting backsplash designs, and a dramatic range hood. By renovating your kitchen with modern design features, you can upgrade your home while giving your kitchen a new energy and an enhanced central gathering point. – Severn Woods  6) Add unique art pieces to your home Whether displaying local artist creations in wall hangings or utilizing elegant, handmade crafts to create a relaxing atmosphere, artwork is always a great conversation starter. And many times, arts and crafts can speak volumes without ever saying a word. – Debra Harris Marketing Chairperson for Artworks Artisan Center 7) Contrast is key If you want to upgrade your home decor, contrast is key. We’re not talking about contrasting with bold colors, rather make sure that your color scheme has enough colors so that not everything is grey or cream. It’s always nice to add 1 or 2 wood tones to your space to make your space feel warmer and more inviting. – Victory Interiors 8) Reuse old materials to upgrade your home style When upgrading your homestyle, consider reusing materials to add a new look without breaking the bank and also saving the environment. There are thousands of ways to reuse materials. All it takes is a little creativity and inspiration. – Arts & Scraps 9) Use paper to add a splash of color Use handmade papers for privacy windows, lighting fixtures, or lampshades. You can modernize any home by using colorful paper to bring in color. – Art and Happiness Originally published on Redfin.com
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