Clay artist Bob Allen at his Foundry Art Centre studio
December 28, 2008
St. Charles
Bob Allen is an industrious potter, passionate about his art, sports, music, people and life. He has influenced many lives by teaching and encouraging others to follow their dreams. Allen often tells folks, “If you have a good work ethic and a passion for what you’re doing, you are going to be successful.” This potter’s enthusiasm is quite contagious.
Bob’s interest in art began with classes at Granite City High School and has grown steadily over the last fifty years. In 1963, he graduated with an art education degree from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. He taught elementary art in Ladue for a couple of years and in 1965 enrolled at Illinois State University to pursue a Master’s Degree in Art. Allen took his first clay class there and was captivated by the physicality and excitement of making pots.
After receiving his Master’s Degree in 1967, and teaching for a year, in the fall of 1968 he returned to Southern Illinois University where he was an adjunct faculty member and received a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree in 1969. (An MFA is a PHD in a studio area).
In 1970, Allen was hired to develop the clay program at Meramec Community College where he taught for thirty-three years. During his tenure there, he arranged over one-hundred workshops and demonstrations by notable clay artists.
He also served as Chairman of the Art Department, taught at Maryville University, served on the board and as chairman of the potters at Craft Alliance in the 1970’s, taught in the MAT program at Webster University and exhibited widely in the St. Louis area and at various Midwestern fairs where he received many awards.
He had one-man shows at Illinois State University, Southern Illinois University, University of Missouri at St. Louis, Mary Institute and Craft Alliance as well as participated in group shows at the St. Louis Art Museum and the St. Louis Historical Society.
In 2002, he received the Faculty Lecture Award at Meramec. In 2003, Allen retired from teaching and in 2004, he became one of the original artists working and exhibiting at the Foundry Art Centre in downtown St. Charles. He makes traditional ceramic forms with glazes he has developed over the years, as well as clay caricatures of classic cars.
Allen said he has had many important influences on his work including former University of Iowa artist Carl Sande, who he described as being the most exciting potter he ever saw, and Jack Cannon, Southern Illinois University ceramics instructor, who taught him many technical aspects of his art that were omitted in other classes.
For those interested in pursuing art, Allen believes strongly in education and exposure. He encourages students to read about art and art history, take classes and visit as many galleries as possible.
Bob often donates his pottery to charitable organizations such as Operation Food Search, and NAMI, where they are sold at auction.
Bob says that even after fifty years, he still finds the process of making, glazing and firing pottery very exciting and rewarding. However, he also finds time to share his other passion, sports. He coaches baseball and sometimes will ask an unsuspecting child visiting him in his art studio at the Foundry to show him their baseball swing.
Contact information:
Bob Allen’s clay pieces range in price from $10 to $250. His pieces are attractive and functional and make lovely one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.
Some places to find Allen’s work are: The Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles, Argonne Gallery in Kirkwood and Krueger Pottery in Webster Groves. You can contact him at 314-922-8656.
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