An Independent Monthly Newsmagazine Serving the Community since 1989

About the Artist

I’m a second generation potter coming from a family of artists and art teachers. I grew up in Highland Park & Evanston Illinois, near-by suburbs of Chicago along the Lake Michigan shore. My father was the Professor of Ceramics and head of the Art Department at Barat College in Lake Forest.  My mother was a weaver, ceramicist and is now a free-lance illustrator of children’s books and art teacher. As a small child my “playground” was the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago where I spent countless afternoons with Mom as she did research among the various exhibits.  

We had a Ceramics School and Gallery at our home, 12 potter’s wheels an Alpine kiln and also made clay for the area schools. In the late 1960’s we held workshops with well-known artists Paul Soldner & Tom Collins & hosted Peter Voulkas when he was installing “Miss Nitro”, a bronze sculpture at the Highland Park Library.   It was really through all of this exposure that I was drawn to ceramics.

I spent summers with my father in the studio at Barat College where we built the Reicher Gallery for student shows and then re-constructing our own home. I have always worked with my hands and found the building process intriguing.

I began a home building & remodeling business of my own. But the desire to create art was my real passion so several years ago I decided to change the direction of my life and pursue ceramics full time.  I won my first award at the Southwest Arts Festival in 1998 for a sculptural work that incorporates architectural form & abstract drawing with clay.

I believe my work reflects a broad range of styles and techniques as I continue to explore the boundaries of clay and glazes. I am always on a quest to discover new ideas, propel these ideas forward & continuously transform my art.

Michael Prokos, Placitas, NM
505.867.0007
prokosm@hotmail.com

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