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I became a potter in 1969 as a high school student. The clay’s tactileness and the meditative qualities of the wheel drew me in. Continuing with my Bachelor’s degree at Rhode Island College, I studied with Harriet Brisson. Here, I began a journey to understand the media and all its technical aspects. These years were about exceeding competency; My focus was mastery. Soon after graduation, I began teaching wheel throwing at RIC, children’s ceramic classes and opened a small art gallery on Federal Hill. Ceramics was now an integral part of my life.

In 1983 I entered the Masters program at Rhode Island School of Design and thus the turning point in my work and philosophy. Here I transitioned from craftsman to artist. Exposed to the myriad of exceptional talents such as: Jacquie Rice, John Gil, Clary Illian, Christopher Staley, Jeff Oestreich and Akio Takmori. I flourished in this environment. These were replete years. Creating art with my wife and child, completing my degree, exhibiting my work, teaching ceramics and gallery coordinator for CCRI. As well as establishing my flooring business DLD LTD.

My current works are primarily wheel thrown. Traditional vessels are the foundation, then altered leaving conventions behind. I am inspired by the human form, habilitments and the people I meet. Each work is an interpretation and exploration of these; large quiet areas are balanced with textures, hand-built additions and stamps. Painterly details are loose interpretations inspired by the marks of Leach and Hamada. Displayed together my vessels form a community, a collective consciousness of beauty, individuality and diversity.

Denis Leonti

Art by Adjunct Professor Denis Leonti