Ellice T. Johnston Scholarship for Ceramic Arts

From the early days of Clayfolk, Ellice T. Johnston was an inspiration and guiding light. In her memory Clayfolk has created this annual scholarship so that the support she provided to so many can live on in her honor.

The purpose of the scholarship is to further ceramic art students education through:

• Upper division college or art school courses
• Workshops through accredited institutions
• Study abroad through accredited institutions

Eligibility requirements:

• Two years of college or equivalent level of art education which  may include sculpture, drawing, design, etc. and the study of aesthetics or technical ceramics.
• The applicant must be a resident or student in Oregon or Northern California.
• Financial need is a consideration but will not restrict the selection of the applicant.
• Clayfolk members as sponsors of this scholarship are not eligible to apply.

The Award :

• $2000 will be awarded at each presentation.
• The Clayfolk Scholarship Committee will select the recipient, administer the award and dispense the funds. The funds will be awarded directly to the recipient.
• The award is renewable and can be awarded to the same recipient more than once.

The application for the scholarship will be considered only after these supporting documents are received:

• A portfolio of work – 8 to 12 printed images 5″ x 7″ (high resolution 300dpi) and a CD of images. Image information : title, media, size, date, etc. should also be included.
• A brief statement about your work and how you plan to use the award.
• Two letters of recommendation from persons in the academic or work field.
• A recent academic transcript.
• College Scholarship Service Financial Aid Form (FAF) or a 1040 Tax form from the previous year.
• A self-addressed envelope of appropriate size to return portfolio and with sufficient postage.

Application Schedule:

• The application and all supporting material must be
  postmarked by May 15th.
• The scholarship will be awarded the end of the third week in May.

Recipients of the Ellice T. Johnston Scholarship

• 2023 | Anya Upton – Portland, OR
• 2022 | Adam Miller
• 2021 | Jordan Dickinson and Tenaya DeWitt
• 2020 | Amanda Thomas and Tanaya DeWitt
• 2019 | Nicolas DeMarco – Ashland, OR
• 2017 ! Dwayne Sackey
• 2015 | Thomas Love – Redding, CA
• 2010 | Anna Stehle – Eugene, OR
• 2009 | Stacy Jo Scott – Eugene , OR
• 2008 | Karen Swank – Portland, OR
• 2007 | Steven Allen – San Francisco, CA
  and Rodolfo Salgado – California State University, CA
• 2006 | Misty Gamble – Oakland, CA
• 2005 | Nicole Gibbs – Portland, OR
• 2004 | Joe Davis – Eugene, OR
  and Derek Weisberg – Oakland, CA
• 2003 | D. Carlos Raminek
• 2002 | Melinda Chaffin – Salem, OR
• 2001 | Miyauki Okamoto – San Jose, CA
• 2000 | Kirk Schaible – Daly City, CA
• 1999 | Josh Mazet – Eugene, OR
• 1998 | Dale Lingemann – Chico, CA
• 1997 | Alexandra Keller·Simons – Portland, OR
• 1996 | Francisco Jimenez – San Francisco, CA
• 1995 | James Martin Caulley – Eugene, OR
  and  Bruce McKinley – Mt. Shasta, CA
• 1994 | Mary Plumb – Portland, OR
• 1993 | Allegany Meadows – Karatsu, Japan
  and Erin Shafkind – Arcata, CA
• 1992 | Allegany Meadows – Claremont, CA
  and Jose Ramirez – Berkeley, CA
• 1991 | Amy Hibbs – Oakland, CA
  and Wataru Sugiyama – Ashland, OR
• 1990 | Konrad Dunton – Santa Cruz, CA
• 1989 | Annette Bongers – La Grande, OR
  and Keisuke Ueno – San Francisco, CA
• 1988 | Laura Reed – La Grande, OR

About Ellice

Ellice already had a BA in painting when she began studying ceramics with Susan Peterson at Chouinard Institute (later part of the California Institute of the Arts) during the early 1950’s. She went on to become a part of two co-operative studios in the Los Angeles area before moving to Oregon in 1974. Clayfolk had just formed and the younger potters immediately gravitated to Ellice, who was always there with technical or artistic advice and a friendly ear. She made her studio and equipment available to those who had an interest in clay but not the means. She helped start Clayfolk’s workshop program which has attracted over 50 renowned potters and clay artists to Southern Oregon. When Ellice died suddenly in 1984, it was decided that a scholarship be created in her name. Ellice was so much a part of the spirit of Clayfolk that a scholarship which would continue her kind ways and good works seemed a fitting tribute.