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.
Beverly Poitier-Henderson
PLANNING COMMITTEE, TECH TEAM
Writer, Producer, Jewelry Designer, Teacher; are all titles that apply, but Artist, is the term that best describes Beverly Poitier-Henderson. As an anecdote to the high stress of production, Beverly turned to art. Her favorite medium to date is polymer clay.
She began her polymer clay journey on a fluke, when she picked up a mesmerizing case of mica powders. She had no idea what they were, nor how to use them. Inside the case were instructions on using them with polymer clay. Polymer Clay? She had no idea what it was. The first polymer book she purchased was Debbie Jackson’s “Polymer Clay Jewelry”. A couple of years later Beverly met Debbie and her love affair with polymer clay began in earnest.The many ingenious ways artists work with the medium are a constant delight to Beverly. She enjoys the camaraderie and generosity of spirit of the polymer clay community, least of which is the Polymer Arts Summit, where she has met and learned from polymer artists worldwide.
PHIL PORTER
TECH TEAM
Phil Porter is an artist, designer, author, teacher, and performer. He has immersed himself in the polymer world for the past five or six years and creates jewelry, vessels, and wall art in his home in downtown Oakland, California.
Phil studied textile and graphic art at the University of California at Berkeley in the mid-70s. He has worked in a variety of media over the years and has created textile artwork, costumes, liturgical garments, graphic design, choreography, large scale visual installations, improvisational performance, music, books, and websites. Along with his colleague Cynthia Winton-Henry, he created an arts-based, improvisational, integrative practice and philosophy called InterPlay which has spread from the Bay Area to other parts of the country and the world.
Currently “retired,” much of his free time is spent making a polymer clay mess in several parts of his home which he shares with his life partner Chinh Nguyen.
MEMBERSHIPS
- International Polymer Clay Association
- Polymer Week Society
Contact
Marlene Gremillion
PLANNING COMMITTEE, Social Media
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 & 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 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
- Blue Ridge Polymer Clay Guild
- International Polymer Clay Association
- Florida Society of Goldsmiths
- Pomegranate Guild of Judaic Needlework
Contact
MANOLA DEL GRANDE
TECH TEAM
I started working with Polymer Clay in 2020 during Covid. I took many online workshops to learn from famous artists and explore working with clay. It didn’t take long to fall in love and stop every other medium!
I am a member of the IPCA – International Polymer Clay Association and volunteer with tech support. Also a member of the Michigan Detroit Polymer Clay Guild and Chicago Area Polymer Clay Guild where I help as Events Coordinator.
Memberships
- Chicago Area Polymer Clay Guild
- International Polymer Clay Association
- Michigan Detroit Polymer Clay 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 Guild
- International Polymer Clay Association
Contact
Website
BERTHA ADAMSON
TECH TEAM
More info coming soon!
