Winnie Owens-Hart (born 1949) is an American ceramist and sculptor. Owens-Hart received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, followed by a Master of Fine Arts degree from Howard University. Currently, Owens-Hart teaches at Howard University. Winnie is known for using clay to touch on women’s issues, both personal and global.
| Artist | Winnie Owens-Hart |
| Born | 1949 Washington, D.C. USA |
| Died | Living |
| Legacy | She is well known for her use of clay to address women’s issues, both personal and global, in both her personal and professional life |
| Known For | Ceramic Sculptures, African ceramics |
| Nationality | American |
| Art Style | Renowned for her African style ceramic sculptures |
| Education | University of the Arts (Philadelphia), Howard University |
Winnie Owens-Hart Career And Background
Owens-Hart was born in Washington, D.C., and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, before earning a Master of Fine Arts degree from Howard University in Baltimore.
She has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions around the United States and overseas. As a visiting (Women) artist, she has worked at Awolwo University in Nigeria in the city of Ile Ife (Federal Government of Nigeria), the Penland School of Crafts, and the McColl Center for Visual Art at Sierra Nevada College, as well as artist-in-residence at Pewabic Pottery, Baltimore Clay Works, Watershed, North Edgecomb, and opportunity to work at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, among other places.
In 1972, she started her first studio in Alexandria, Virginia.
The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution is one of the museums that has examples of her work; she has also made public artwork for Arlington County, Virginia, and has worked at the Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia. The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded her an Individual Craftsman Fellowship, which she will use to further her artistic career. Owens-Hart is currently employed as a professor at Howard University.
Winnie Owens-Hart Style
Winnie is well known for her use of clay to address women’s issues, both personal and global. In her early art studies, she fantasized (and had interest) about what pot-making and painting would be like in “African village,” (African diaspora influences) and she continued to follow that vision throughout her college studies. Her first ceramic classes focused primarily on pottery (huge pot) from Asia. Winnie was inspired to learn more about African (Africa) ceramics as a result of this.
Having worked with traditional potters and their work from across the continent since 1980, she is widely regarded as a steward. She has presented workshops (exhibit) on their history and construction processes in a variety of settings throughout the United States, Nigeria, and England.
Winnie Owens-Hart Awards
- Honorary Board Member, Renwick Museum, Smithsonian Institution
- Lifetime Achievement in the Craft Arts Award, Renwick Fellow, Smithsonian Institution
- Fellow, Smithsonian Institution Faculty Research Program
- National Endowment for the Arts–Individual Craftsmen Fellowship, 1978
