Vita
Teacher and artist, Patty Passick earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts, with an emphasis in ceramics, from Slippery Rock University in 1979. During her studies, she received her university's Art Faculty's Award. While at Slippery Rock, Patty was employed as a ceramic shop proctor and assisted her professor, Richard Wukich, with the clay studio's upkeep by reclaiming clay, mixing glazes, and firing a variety of kilns. After graduation, she pursued her artistic career in her own studio, as well as being employed as a production potter at the historical Underground Railroad tavern, Vickers in Exton, PA.
In the 1980's Patty lived in Tucson, Arizona where she took graduate level ceramic courses at the University of Arizona. While there, she was a member of the Southern Arizona Clay Artists Association, exhibited her work in numerous shows, and was artistically represented at the Tucson Museum of Art Gallery Shop. Additionally, Passick was employed by Tucson's Parks and Recreation Department as a pottery instructor, teaching both children and adults ceramic classes.
When Patty moved back to Pennsylvania she settled in the Lehigh Valley and took part in Salisbury High School's Visiting Artist Program, where for 9 years, she taught all aspects of their art department's clay unit. In 2004, Patty completed her pursue of an Art Education Certification from Kutztown University, receiving both a Certificate of Distinction for her academic performance, as well as the J. Allen Award for Craft Excellence for her artistic achievement. During her studies, she student taught at The Crayola Factory in Easton, PA and also at its headquarters, Binney & Smith (now Crayola) in its Department of Education under the guidance of Sylvia Woolf-Gallop and Ronald DeLong, respectively.
Passick had the experience of teaching art at both Palmerton Junior High School and Lehighton High School as a long term substitute. She currently teaches art to 4th through 8th graders at St. John Neumann Regional School in Palmerston, PA. Patty has had a variety of teaching experiences in both traditional and non-traditional educational settings. Many local students know Ms Passick from her substituting in the Palmerton, Northern Lehigh, and Parkland Area School Districts. She also has lent her talents to many art related extra curricular activities as well as educational clay demonstrations over the years.
Patty has shown her artwork in numerous shows and her work has been included in a variety of venues across the United States. Her ceramic beds have been featured in holiday window displays as well as Designer Showcase Homes in both Tucson and the Lehigh Valley. Her ceramic hearts have been included in a national juried exhibition benefiting the American Heart Association.
In the spring of 2009, Patty became involved with Stonehedge Gardens where she taught adult and children's clay classes after writing and receiving two Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts Grants. Currently, she runs the Stonehedge's Fine Craft Gift Shop and Art Gallery. In addition, she is the art education representative of the Lehigh Valley based Artists at Heart.