Jan Bovard is a ceramic artist who lives and works in her studio on a seven-acre macadamia nut farm. It is nestled on the fertile slopes of Hualalai Mountain on the Big Island of Hawaii.

She has been working with clay since 1973.  Over the past forty years, she has traveled extensively throughout Asia, the Pacific, and Europe, gathering inspiration and techniques from thirty-seven countries. One of her most recent trips was a return trip to Japan, where she was invited to participate as a resident studio potter at Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park for six months.

Jan’s early training as a potter was inspired and encouraged by the late architect and potter Joseph Wertz, who studied with the masterful Living Treasure, Shoji Hamada of Japan.  Jan’s pottery has been strongly influenced by Japanese culture.

She presently exhibits in her studio and Japan. Her pieces can be found in private collections throughout America, Europe, and Asia.

She thinks of herself as a functional potter who likes to have her pottery used, touched, and handled on a daily basis.  She says,” I am always experimenting with different clays, glazes, and methods of treating the clay and techniques.  In working with clay I feel that I have touched the core of my being………a few times.  It is a meditation that frees me from all other thoughts, and brings me a feeling of joy and peace.  There is also the never ending challenge of the clay.  I know that I will not live long enough to execute all the ideas I have, but for now I am living in paradise doing what I love to do”.

Please contact her for a studio visit via the Contact page on this site.