Pamela Bryan
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Pamela Bryan was born in Decatur, Indiana in
1957 and grew up on a farm in Blue Creek
Township near Monroe, Indiana, with her parents,
four siblings and many dogs, cats, and livestock.
Surrounded by farm land dotted with woods—the
perfect environment to foster a wild
imagination. Family instilled the value of working
hard and making something beautiful out of
whatever one had at hand (usually much to her
dismay). She was fortunate to attend school
during an era where children were exposed to art
and music and fell in love with making things and
drawing at an early age.
1957 and grew up on a farm in Blue Creek
Township near Monroe, Indiana, with her parents,
four siblings and many dogs, cats, and livestock.
Surrounded by farm land dotted with woods—the
perfect environment to foster a wild
imagination. Family instilled the value of working
hard and making something beautiful out of
whatever one had at hand (usually much to her
dismay). She was fortunate to attend school
during an era where children were exposed to art
and music and fell in love with making things and
drawing at an early age.
Education began formally after working four years at the General Electric plant in Decatur. Upon
her sister Becky’s encouragement, Pamela first attended Eastern Oregon State College in 1980
and studied glassblowing and ceramics with Professor and Artist Thomas Dimond.
Touching clay was a pivotal moment and the beginning of lifelong dialogue and journey of
exploring sculptural and functional ceramics. After leaving Eastern Oregon she returned to
Indiana and obtained a BFA from Indiana University, in Fort Wayne Indiana and studied ceramics
with Professor and Mural Artist, Nancy McCroskey. Pamela moved to Sacramento in 1989 to
attend graduate school at CSUS and studied art with Peter VandenBerge, Yoshio Taylor, Bob
Brady and Oliver Jackson. Aside from receiving an MA in Studio Art, Pamela has also obtained
California Teaching Credentials in Elementary Education and Art Making.
Work has included working as a studio assistant and lab technician throughout college. Working
as an Art facilitator and client coordinator at the Short Center South from 1994-98. Elementary
Classroom teacher with Sacramento City Unified School District from 1998 until 2008 and as an
Art Teacher at the 9th &10 Grade Academy for the past two and a half years.
Contributor to the Empty Bowls fundraiser since its inception in 2003.
Influenced by music; form in nature (especially the character of trees), all the beautiful treasures
in my grandmothers’ china cabinets and the fact that it was basically made from mud; desire to
learn techniques of clay makers of the past and to carry that knowledge and love for this
wonderful material forward.
her sister Becky’s encouragement, Pamela first attended Eastern Oregon State College in 1980
and studied glassblowing and ceramics with Professor and Artist Thomas Dimond.
Touching clay was a pivotal moment and the beginning of lifelong dialogue and journey of
exploring sculptural and functional ceramics. After leaving Eastern Oregon she returned to
Indiana and obtained a BFA from Indiana University, in Fort Wayne Indiana and studied ceramics
with Professor and Mural Artist, Nancy McCroskey. Pamela moved to Sacramento in 1989 to
attend graduate school at CSUS and studied art with Peter VandenBerge, Yoshio Taylor, Bob
Brady and Oliver Jackson. Aside from receiving an MA in Studio Art, Pamela has also obtained
California Teaching Credentials in Elementary Education and Art Making.
Work has included working as a studio assistant and lab technician throughout college. Working
as an Art facilitator and client coordinator at the Short Center South from 1994-98. Elementary
Classroom teacher with Sacramento City Unified School District from 1998 until 2008 and as an
Art Teacher at the 9th &10 Grade Academy for the past two and a half years.
Contributor to the Empty Bowls fundraiser since its inception in 2003.
Influenced by music; form in nature (especially the character of trees), all the beautiful treasures
in my grandmothers’ china cabinets and the fact that it was basically made from mud; desire to
learn techniques of clay makers of the past and to carry that knowledge and love for this
wonderful material forward.
