Artist Profile for Betsy Begor Perkins

I'm an obsessed potter; at any given time, a good portion of my little gray cells is devoted to thinking and dreaming about pottery. I love clay. I love pots -- all kinds of pots. There isn't enough time for me to make all the pots in my head. Since I do only hand-building and have a full-time job, my production has been somewhat limited, but only in the amount of clay actually processed!

This catapulting into the dimension of creativity has been the most deeply satisfying thing I've ever done and one which I never imagined would happen to me. My skills are constantly being honed, and every pot I make is an outgrowth of every pot I've already made. It's an amazing experience for me to be doing this. I'm very grateful.

I was born in Virginia and grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina. I received a Bachelor's degree in psychology in 1960 and a Master of Science degree in vocational rehabilitation in 1962. I've reared two wonderful children while living in many places (we were a Navy family) -- five states plus the Philippine Islands and Hawaii. I’ve lived and worked in northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., New York City, and then back to Wilmington. For the past twelve years I have been employed at the Arts Council of the Lower Cape Fear; currently as administrative director.

I took my first pottery class in 1994 at age 56. Never looked back.

Thanks for listening.

~ Betsy Perkins