Marilyn Dean, 64, originally went to college with the idea of becoming a teacher, but changed plans once she walked into a ceramics department and saw someone working at a pottery wheel. She later returned to school for a master's in art and teaching, and now combines her skills in a ministry that teaches Christian concepts. On the bottom of every piece of pottery she makes she inscribes "Is. 64:8," and considers the scripture reference more important than her own initialed 'm' she also carves into each piece. Ms. Dean has lived in Bristol since 1965, the past 19 years with her husband, Russell. Between the two of them they have seven children and ten grandchildren.
Getting started: "It started in 1977. A women's fellowship asked me to tell what I know about being a potter."
Ministry basics: "I work on the potter's wheel. I explain the stages clay has to go, from formless lump to finished vessel. Isaiah 64:8; 'You are the Potter ... we are the clay ... we all are the work of your hand' is the primary verse, the primary reason. It's a basic message of our relationship to God."
Story teller: "My knowledge of pottery interweaves with the experiences of my life, which are spiritual experiences, which gave me a story to tell."
Speaking engagements: "I've spoken to all ages, and most denominations, Protestant and Catholic. I've been to every type of situation; outside with teens at a bonfire and inside a high Episcopal church."
College years: "I actually went to Rhode Island School of Design to be an art teacher. Along the way I had to find a major before education courses started the third year. That's when I walked into the ceramics department and saw someone working on a potter's wheel. I loved it so much I couldn't leave."
Rhode Island native: "I'm a true Rhode Islander, I haven't lived anyplace else."
Home work: "My husband restores antique vehicles. He's working on rusty parts in one end of the house and I'm working on clay pots at the other end of the house."
Fresh air: "We love the mountains and we love taking trips up north. My husband and I have done some mountain climbing. I've done about eight mountains and he's done about 38. Trails, not rock climbing, and not recently. We love the outdoors."
Common ground: "Russell came from a Quaker background. It took us a while to find a place to worship together. He was used to the silent meeting and I was used to the lively clapping of hands."
True story: "Everything they say about grandmotherhood is correct. It's wonderful. I remember the first time I heard my grandchild's heartbeat before she was born."
Philosophy of life: I believe everything in life we do adds up to who we are now, and that when given over to God he makes so much more of us."
Lessons in clay: "Life is a process. We can't be destroyed or distraught because something's not going perfectly that we don't understand."
Spare time: "I like to sit by the water and watch the waves come in. Looking out over the water just feeds into my soul."
Longest trip: "I have just been asked to go out to Sioux Falls, S.D. This is my first long distance trip. I've given the talk all over New England and New Jersey and New York. I decided to drive because I chose to take my own (pottery) wheel."
By Cindy VanSchalkwyk
cindyv@eastbaynewspapers.com