Ruth Knoll - Founder

While the staff lets Ruth think she is the Executive Director, she really keeps the ball rolling on the different aspects of the development of Clinton Arts Center. As founder of the organization she is a jack of all trades: She does what needs to be done to make the Arts Center a reality.

Kris Cravens - Ceramics Arts Director

Kristine Cravens is a ceramic artist whose background training is fashion design. She was trained in Fashion Merchandising focusing on clothing construction and design.  The move from fabric to clay was an easy transition for her.  She often constructs her pieces from patterns using slabs instead of the pottery wheel.  Most of her work is highly decorated, designs you might imagine on fabric. She works from her home studio but also enjoys the community and inspiration of others at the Clinton Arts Center.

Kristine has a BS in Fashion Merchandising and a MS in Business. She worked for a major automotive company for 25 years in marketing and decided to move to clay fulltime several years ago. She is a self-taught clay artist participating in workshops and classes to hone her skills. Cravens is Treasurer for Michigan Ceramic Art Association where she is able to stay in touch with what is happening in the ceramics world across Michigan.

She was featured on the cover brochure for the Saginaw Art Museum’s “Michigan Invitational Exhibit”.  Kristine was an exhibiting artist for “Cups of Fire” and “Dinnerware”, Clay Gallery, Ann Arbor, Michigan as well as “Women in Art”, Oakland University, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  She is also a featured artist at The Gallery, Royal Oak, MI, East End Gallery, Marshall, MI and Flying Colorz Gallery, Holland, MI. She also sells her work through her Etsy site and occasionally does local art fairs.

Prudy Vannier - 2-D Arts and Glass Director

Prudy Vannier has an art degree and has made a life long career in painting. She teaches her painting and design techniques around the United States, Canada, and Europe. She also shares them in several magazine articles on a regular basis.

Prudy owned and operated Prudy’s Studio, Inc., a publishing company for decorative painting books with a market in the craft industry. She worked with 30 artists publishing and distributing their books as well as her own. Today, Prudy’s Studio is an internet company that primarily sells her designs.

For several years, Prudy was on the board of directors of the Society of Decorative Painters, an international organization for every level of artists as well as manufacturers of art supplies. She served on a variety of committees including the education committee which developed new programs and the business committee which dealt with promoting the industry. She also served as president.

Prudy’s achievements include her work in The White House, the Smithsonian, and other museums.

Jane White - Ceramics Studio Manager

Jane has taught and worked in a variety of studios over the past 26 years.
EDUCATION:

BFA from Eastern Michigan University  
MFA from Indiana University, Bloomington.

POST-DEGREE  TEACHING:

Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Center for Creative Studies, Ann Arbor Potters Guild, and Pewabic Pottery. 

MANAGEMENT:

Ceramic Studio Lab Demonstrator for the University of Michigan,  Kilnroom Manager ,  Fabrication Director, Adult Education Studio Manager at Pewabic Pottery.

GRANT RECIPIENT:

Michigan Individual Artist Grant