Learn more about the hard-working team that brings the PAS to life each year.
Debora Jackson
FOUNDER AND ORGANIZER
Debbie Jackson of Columbus, Ohio is a multi-talented artist, author and educator with over 30 years of experience in working with polymer clay.
She teaches polymer clay workshops and gives presentations at conferences, to guilds and other art-related venues. Debbie wrote her first book, Polymer Clay Jewelry, and has been published in a number of art books and magazines.
She is the owner of ‘Debbie’s Adornments’, an avenue to sell her original, one-of-a-kind creations. Her work has been sold in numerous galleries, art shows and exhibitions. Currently, her jewelry is sold at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture Gift Shop in Washington, D.C.
Three years ago, during the pandemic, Debbie had the idea to form the Polymer Art Summit as an alternative when traveling to in-person conferences, classes and retreats came to a halt. She felt that this exciting annual event would be a great opportunity for artists to connect from all over the world, to meet each other, and learn new skills. Debbie hopes that PAS attendees have an enriching experience!
Terri Powell
SELECTION COMMITTEE
Terri Powell is a scientist by day and artist by night….but sometimes her science gets a little artsy and vice versa. She uses her career as a materials microscopist as inspiration for her polymer clay jewelry.
Terri has attended numerous polymer clay conferences and retreats over the years, including Synergy, Courting the Muse, and every single Clayathon. She has long been a practitioner of multiple types of mokume gane, and incorporates it routinely into her work.
Terri is the owner at ArtSci designs, and sells her work at craft shows and small galleries throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
Julie Picarello
PLANNING COMMITTEE
As an award-winning artist, international instructor and author of “Patterns in Polymer: Imprint & Accent Bead Techniques”, Julie’s work has been featured in a variety of print publications as well as Beads, Baubles & Jewels TV.
Influenced by the computer circuits she designed for over two decades, and inspired by master artist Tory Hughes, in 2005 Julie became intrigued and completely focused on what she calls “Imprint Mokume”, an adaptation of an ancient Japanese metalworking technique that lends itself well to polymer clay.
She began experimenting with various tools and layering methods to create controlled rather than random patterns, and adding depth and dimension to her designs.
Julie’s wearable art reflects her love of color, symmetry and clean lines and she showcases the sophisticated depth and dimension of polymer with custom palettes, contrasting textures and her use of hardware and found objects.
Rania Nelson
PLANNING COMMITTEE, TECH TEAM
I began working with Polymer Clay in 1993. I first discovered the versatility of the medium in a workshop sponsored by the then City Zen Cane. I was encouraged to hone my skills when my work was selected to be their calendar my very first year.
Since then I’ve been fortunate enough to take many workshops with many notable clay artists. My favorite being a weeklong adventure with Tory Hughes in Mendocino, CA. I am a founding member of the Philadelphia Polymer Clay Guild and have taught at local Art Centers in Philadelphia area.
Although I dabble in other mediums, I always return to polymer and am excited to be a part of this Symposium.
Memberships
- Philadelphia Polymer Clay Art Guild
Contact
Colleen Mattison
PLANNING COMMITTEE, TECH TEAM
My first experience with Polymer was in 2002, working with a software company called Clay Animation. I worked with teachers and students making actors (sculptures) and sets to turn into stop-gap motion videos. Later down the line I met Barbara McGuire and was immediately drawn to polymer clay, especially Mokume Gane. While I still enjoy doing my glass, polymer has been more portable to take with me on adventures. My latest adventure is mountain biking and I am hooked.
I am lucky to have 2 little boys who call me Coco and hang out with these grands and introduce them to clay as 10 months and 4 years are a bit young for the flame.
Memberships
- International Polymer Clay Association
- Blue Ridge Polymer Clay Guild
- Polymer Week Society
- Firecrackers Lampworker
- Retired from k-12 Public Education
Contact
Marlene Gremillion
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Marlene Gremillion is a sensitive person who enjoys life and her surroundings. She examines the beauty of nature especially in bright sunlight looking for the transparency in flowers and the shadows cast by objects onto another.
Texture plays a major role in her paintings along with color that expresses a mood and feeling seen in the subjects she puts to paper or canvas.
Marlene explores visually varied subjects as shown in her paintings and collages along with her jewelry creations in wire, metal and her new love polymer clay and precious metal clay.
Unable to put to words why she must create. “It’s like I’m a child with a new toy, each time I pick up a medium. I’ve just got to have fun and see if I can make something.”
Marlene is a signature member of Mid-Southern Watercolorists (Arkansas) and Louisiana Watercolor Society, and Arkansas Pastel Society, a charter member of Ouachita River Art Guild in West Monroe, Louisiana. She started the Ouachita Mountain Polymer Clay Guild November 2015.
Displaying at The Butler Center Gallery in Little Rock, Arkansas, Ouachita Artists, Mt. Ida, AR, and Artist Workshop Gallery.
Marlene has taught at National Park Community College (Continuing Education) Hot Springs, AR; Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock; Eureka Springs School of the Arts; Ozark Craft School, Mountain View, AR along with travel teaching.
Memberships
- Mid-Southern Watercolorists (Arkansas)
- Louisiana Watercolor Society
- Arkansas Pastel Society
- Ouachita Mountain Polymer Clay Guild
- International Polymer Clay Association
Contact
Website and social media
Barbara Forbes-Lyons
PLANNING COMMITTEE, TECH TEAM
Barbara Forbes-Lyons was born to non-agricultural parents in Nebraska and has lived in Tallahassee since December, 1996.
She’s a partner to a woodworking triathlete and Mom to a gifted young adult with autism and a rare sleep disorder.
In addition to being a darn good Scrabble player and an excellent cook and baker, Barbara works in the Computer/Internet industry, fanatically recycles, and enjoys a variety of art and craft hobbies that are only encouraged through the judicious use of 40% off coupons.
She is a fan of the Oxford comma, penguins, dark chocolate, hard ciders, good beer, all things Geeky, and sunny days on the deck with a cup of French Press coffee.
In real life (IRL), Barbara splits her time between being the best wife and Scout mom she can be, working around the house, making art, spending time with friends, off-road bicycling, and volunteering for a number of organizations.
Memberships
- Tallahassee Polymer Clay Art Guild
- Queen City Clayers
- International Polymer Clay Association
- Florida Society of Goldsmiths
Contact
Kathryn Corbin
SELECTION COMMITTEE
Raised in NYC by artist/designer parents, I pursued a B.A and M.A. in Art History, then enjoyed a professional career as the paintings expert at several auction houses in New York City and New England, (who along the way married a former museum curator, director, and private art dealer). With motherhood, a degree and career switch to interior design and board positions in education, the Society of Arts and Crafts, Boston, and local arts organizations.
So it’s no surprise I stayed immersed in what I studied and practiced when I discovered polymer clay and found the medium that let me sculpt with color, paint with texture, add and subtract at will, and explore widely, if not wildly! I believe it’s these characteristics that sets polymer clay apart from all other media. I admit that I like to surprise, am bored by the expected, and success, for me, is always going to be when I can say, “yes, that works!”. I’m also rather adamant that nothing can ever really work unless it follows fundamental design principles because, as I have observed all my life, without them technique is just technical. I think this is where artistic identity, or “voice” is found, as it has been throughout the history of art and design.
Memberships
- International Polymer Clay Association
- New England Polymer Artist Guild
Contact
Scott Cooper
TREASURER
Scott, a former CPA and finance executive is a self-taught, now full-time mixed media artist. His art studio is located on Cape Cod and he specializes in mixed-media themed mosaics. Scott primarily uses polymer clay to create one of a kind handmade tiles.
Scott’s art is primarily Judaic, symbolic of nature or ocean themed. He is inspired to create spiritual, meaningful and personal pieces. Scott does a lot of commission work where he creates a one-of-a-kind mosaic piece to celebrate personal milestones.
Memberships
- New England Polymer Artist Guil
- International Polymer Clay Association