Don Penny

"I am fascinated by the theme of geological change as manifested in the sedimentary canyons which are an integral part of the landscape of the Americas. I do not attempt to reproduce phenomena which nature accomplishes much better. My work attempts to synthesize my own feelings about time, earth, materials. and change, and is a reflection and celebration about these natural and human forces."

He's the "'Don", Don Penny that is, the tall, earthy, ceramic artist -South Georgia's first Stoneware Potter. He produces both functional ceramics and large-scale wall relief sculptures prominent in numerous museums, private and corporate collections Penny is well-known to many in-the area for his five- foot high by 17-feet-wide high-relief wall hanging, which graces the entrance of Valdosta State University's Fine Arts Building. The structure consists of nearly 1000 pieces created from Georgia Ocmulgee red clay, the result of a National Endowment for the Arts grant. In 1966 Penny moved to Valdosta from Palm Beach, Florida. He is Trustee-Emeritus of the prestigious American Crafts Council and the recipient of several NEA and state grants. After thirty-three years of college teaching in Florida, Georgia, Europe and Africa, Penny retired as Professor Emeritus of Art (Valdosta State University) and now produces functional, sculptural ceramics full time at his new modern studio on the Little River in Hahira. Penny studied Ceramics Engineering at Georgia Tech and holds art and marketing degrees from Georgia State University and a Masters in Constructive Design from Florida State University. He is a past two.term Board Member of the Lowndes/Valdosta Arts Commission.

He freely admits that his heart attack several years ago deepened his appreciation of life and the things of the earth.

Mr. Penny is represented by Blue Spiral I.Gallery in Ashville, North Carolina and the Summit in Highlands, North Carolina. In Georgia, galleries include Classic Art & Frame Companies in Valdosta and Tifton, Georgia Originals in Watkinsville, Signature Shop in Atlanta, and Tallulah Point Overlook in Tallulah Falls.