Finding his way to clay through a passion for discovery and contemplation, Jason Bohnert came to North Carolina after many journeys across the country and the globe. His love of travel and the study of art in culture and philosophy have led him to study ceramics in Arizona, Kentucky, West Virginia, The People’s Republic of China, and now, North Carolina. First receiving a BA in philosophy from Hanover College in IN, the discovery of the fluid process of throwing clay on the wheel captivated him in his last year of studies. With curiosities peeked, his enrollment at Northern Arizona University for further clay explorations launched his drive to become a potter. Further studies through University of Louisville prepared him for graduate studies at West Virginia University, from where he was conferred with a Masters of Fine Art degree in Ceramics.

     West Virginia’s linkage with the Jingdezhen Ceramic College in China allowed Mr. Bohnert to spend several extended stints in China studying carving, painting, throwing and hand building in the traditional working methods of porcelain and Yixing teapot making. Traveling to the Far East and studying the rich history of functional art and the tea culture in China has impacted Jason’s work dramatically. He has lectured and exhibited extensively on these subjects from Universities to Museums in both China and the U.S. His teapots have won awards and been exhibited nationally, including a Juror’s Choice Award at the Strictly Functional Pottery National in 2003 and the 100 Teapots exhibition at the Baltimore Clayworks in 2004, as well as becoming a part of Ceramics Monthly’s permanent collection.

     Currently, Mr. Bohnert is a resident artist at the Energy Xchange in Burnsville, NC, where he is a full-time practicing artist. He can also be found teaching classes in Asheville, NC at the Odyssey clay center, and will be an adjunct faculty of West Virginia University, leading a full-semester exchange trip to Jingdezhen, China in fall of 2004.