About Us
Janis Smith was born in Detroit, Michigan. She has resided in Florida for over 50 years, where she worked as a teacher in Pinellas County prior to her retirement.
Her work in clay is primarily hand built and decorated using a technique called sgrafitto. Sgrafitto is a technique in which the artist carves designs into the structure of the clay. This can then be emphasized with color and additional texture. Janis uses sgrafitto to add an ethnic flair to specific pieces, while continuing to adopt an eclectic style across her body of work. Outside of clay, she has created handmade ornaments, greeting cards, and acrylic paintings, building on a lifelong enjoyment of arts and crafts.
Janis has participated in art festivals in many locations within the United States. As a result, her work can be can be found in private collections in multiple locations - including Florida, Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and California - and in Canada. She is a member of the Women's Caucus of the Arts (Florida Chapter) as well as the Warehouse Art District of St Petersburg Florida.
Her work in clay is primarily hand built and decorated using a technique called sgrafitto. Sgrafitto is a technique in which the artist carves designs into the structure of the clay. This can then be emphasized with color and additional texture. Janis uses sgrafitto to add an ethnic flair to specific pieces, while continuing to adopt an eclectic style across her body of work. Outside of clay, she has created handmade ornaments, greeting cards, and acrylic paintings, building on a lifelong enjoyment of arts and crafts.
Janis has participated in art festivals in many locations within the United States. As a result, her work can be can be found in private collections in multiple locations - including Florida, Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and California - and in Canada. She is a member of the Women's Caucus of the Arts (Florida Chapter) as well as the Warehouse Art District of St Petersburg Florida.
Eugenia Conner-Washington is originally from New York, and has resided in Florida over 50 years. She is a graduate of Florida A. & M. University, an HBCU, with a B.S. degree in elementary education. Eugenia retired in 2010, after 35 years of service with the state.
Although Eugenia had no formal art training, she has been artistic since childhood. She learned basic sewing skills and embroidery from her grandmother at a young age. Over time she refined these skills through creation of garments for herself and her younger sisters. At one time Jean specialized as a clay artist, along with her close friend and business partner, Janis Smith. After retirement, Eugenia shifted her focus to the quilting arts, and continues to develop her skills in fabric design, despite the fact she is legally blind/visually impaired.
Along with quilting, Eugenia also enjoys playing djembe, a talent learned from her late husband. She is also a certified Tai Chi instructor, and most recently, enjoys urban line dancing.
Although Eugenia had no formal art training, she has been artistic since childhood. She learned basic sewing skills and embroidery from her grandmother at a young age. Over time she refined these skills through creation of garments for herself and her younger sisters. At one time Jean specialized as a clay artist, along with her close friend and business partner, Janis Smith. After retirement, Eugenia shifted her focus to the quilting arts, and continues to develop her skills in fabric design, despite the fact she is legally blind/visually impaired.
Along with quilting, Eugenia also enjoys playing djembe, a talent learned from her late husband. She is also a certified Tai Chi instructor, and most recently, enjoys urban line dancing.