Natasha Poppe is one of those people who, as a young child, often said she was "going to be" an artist, as though an artist is something we "turn into." She had amazing early arts exposure in the Prospect Park neighborhood of Minneapolis, especially from the talented and driven dance director Loyce Houlton. Natasha’s undergraduate degree in Studio Art from Lawrence University in Wisconsin also included a minor in East Asian Studies. The formalistic style of 70s teaching directed her toward Graphic Design, but thoughts about advertising cigarettes to children, or promoting Wal-Mart, helped re-direct her into art education. Her second degree was in Art Education from the University of Minnesota, then while teaching she earned an M.A., and worked toward a PhD.
Years of teaching art, advocating for the arts, and making art enriched her perspective in each role. After many years of painting as her major focus, Natasha returned to Ceramics in 2002. She has taken numerous classes and participated in many firings at the Northern Clay Center and appreciates the excellent quality and variety of instruction there. Recently she has been trying out other available soda kilns at Edina Art Center with Sandra Shaugnessy, and Minnetonka Art Center with Ernest Miller.
Although throwing was her only choice in earlier years, she believes that teaching younger children made her a much better ceramist. Sitting home with a broken leg, she tried hand-building with porcelain, and classes from Margaret Bowles polished her techniques and inspired her to push the possibilities further.
In 2019, Natasha, husband and pets moved to Wilmington, DE. She is working in her home studio in 2-D art forms while exploring the art community and ceramics studios.
Years of teaching art, advocating for the arts, and making art enriched her perspective in each role. After many years of painting as her major focus, Natasha returned to Ceramics in 2002. She has taken numerous classes and participated in many firings at the Northern Clay Center and appreciates the excellent quality and variety of instruction there. Recently she has been trying out other available soda kilns at Edina Art Center with Sandra Shaugnessy, and Minnetonka Art Center with Ernest Miller.
Although throwing was her only choice in earlier years, she believes that teaching younger children made her a much better ceramist. Sitting home with a broken leg, she tried hand-building with porcelain, and classes from Margaret Bowles polished her techniques and inspired her to push the possibilities further.
In 2019, Natasha, husband and pets moved to Wilmington, DE. She is working in her home studio in 2-D art forms while exploring the art community and ceramics studios.