Ellen Grenadier

1948 Born Montreal, Quebec, Canada 

EDUCATION 

1970 BA Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 

APPRENTICESHIPS  

1974-1976 Apprenticeship with Ron Garfinkle at Monroe Saltworks, Monroe, Maine, studying salt glazing.  

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE 

1975 Founding member, Clay Dragon Studio, Cambridge, Massachusetts  

1980- present Studio Potter 

1996-2006 Director of Ceramics and Ceramics Instructorat IS 183 Art School of the Berkshires, Stockbridge MA. 

BIOGRAPHY 

Ellen Grenadier is best known for wheel thrown and slab draped functional pieces made using porcelain or stoneware. Typical forms include platters, mugs, bowls, pitchers, and tiles. Early work is salt-fired. Beginning in 2000 Grenadier began collecting and preserving leaves and plant parts. She then presses them into freshly made pieces to create the impressions and patterns her work is known for. The work at this time was primarily finished with various green glazes. Some pieces do carry yellow or blue glazes. Grenadier has also created dinnerware using a Manganese rich brown clay with a white glaze speckled with Manganese that comes through in the firing. Some areas of the pieces are stamped and carved then accented with the white glaze. using the Mishima technique. The work is high-fired in oxidation.