George Tompkins - Ceramic Artist
Location: Yuma, AZ
In 1971 Professor Tomkins came to Yuma as an artist in residence under the first of several grants he has received from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Arizona Commission on the Arts. He became a full time Professor of art at Arizona Western College in1973 and over the years has taught ceramics, drawing, painting, design, and art history. After retiring in 2004 he has continued to work in his studio at Tomkins Pottery and to teach a drawing or ceramics class at the college.
His work is included in numerous private and public collections including Arizona State University, the Tucson Art Museum, the Phoenix Airport Collection, the Yuma Fine Arts Association, the City of Yuma and the Arabia Ceramics Collection in Arabia, Finland. Recent publications include two Lark 500 books – Raku and Plates, Platters and Chargers, and Ceramic Extruding by Jean and Tom Latka.
“Over the years my work gone through lots of phases from large abstract salt glazed sculpture to simple earthenware vessels reflecting the forms of the native American work found here in the southwest but there has been a continuous thread going back to day one. Pots you can use. Cups, bowls, plates and vases fired to white heat with complex glazes that offer endless surprises and learning moments. I still get a kick out of opening the kiln door and finding special pieces. I like using them every day, too.”
His work is included in numerous private and public collections including Arizona State University, the Tucson Art Museum, the Phoenix Airport Collection, the Yuma Fine Arts Association, the City of Yuma and the Arabia Ceramics Collection in Arabia, Finland. Recent publications include two Lark 500 books – Raku and Plates, Platters and Chargers, and Ceramic Extruding by Jean and Tom Latka.
“Over the years my work gone through lots of phases from large abstract salt glazed sculpture to simple earthenware vessels reflecting the forms of the native American work found here in the southwest but there has been a continuous thread going back to day one. Pots you can use. Cups, bowls, plates and vases fired to white heat with complex glazes that offer endless surprises and learning moments. I still get a kick out of opening the kiln door and finding special pieces. I like using them every day, too.”