Karen Dubois

Resident Potter | Instructor | Mentor

Karen Dubois (she/her) is an accomplished ceramic artist and educator with extensive teaching experience. She specializes in wood firing and soda techniques in a Kazegama kiln. Karen’s expertise is in hand building and surface design that enhances student engagement and artistic growth. Karen is excellent at fostering creativity in her classes through hands-on instruction, with an emphasis on collaborative projects and advanced ceramic design.

Karen routinely teaches both beginning and intermediate hand building classes in our Teaching Center and is a mentor in our Advanced Studies (ISM) program. On occasion, Karen shares her wood and soda firing expertise in specialty classes and workshops.

Artist Statement

I made my first pots in high school, and that moment marked the beginning of a lifelong journey with clay. After marrying my husband, Bryan, we raised four children together, now all grown. I homeschooled them through 12th grade, and during those years, pottery remained my creative outlet. In my free time between teaching and parenting, I was at the wheel, deepening my skills and studying with master wood fire potters whenever I could.

Karen Dubois finished pots, hand built small houses grouping

Close up of Karen Dubois hands on finished fruit pots in a bowl

My pots, whether hand built or wheel-thrown, are rooted in a deep appreciation for the colors and textures found in nature. I’m especially drawn to wood firing, a process where ash and soda move through the kiln, leaving behind rich, unpredictable surfaces that reflect the movement of flame. Each piece tells a unique story, shaped as much by fire as by my own hands.

At the heart of my practice is a balance between the joy of making and surrender. I make my pots with intention, then I trust the kiln to complete the work. This process keeps me curious, humble, and open. I am here to learn and to offer what I know, sharing clay not just as a material, but as a path to connection, discovery, and community.