Michael Lalone Artist Statement
Mike has been working in clay for over 20 years. He started by a teacher recertification class and hasn’t stopped yet! After a year off from teaching physical education and coaching Mike studied at Alfred University with Val Cushing, a year at the Kansas City Art Institute with Ken Ferguson, Victor Babu and George Timock.
Returning to Dr. Phillips High in Orlando, FL, he proceeded to build one of the nation’s top ceramic programs. He was honored by the Daniel Clark Foundation as an exemplary instructor and received numerous teaching awards. Mike was nominated twice from his school for the Walt Disney Teacheriffic Award winning top program recognition in 1991. Most recent was the Kessler Foundation Award for excellence in art education.
Mike’s work has appeared in Clay Times Magazine, local news publications and several movies shot in the Orlando area. National shows, such as “The Strictly Functional National” and the “Ceramics Biennial” showcased his work. His work is in the collection of schools in China and Japan. Regionally in the Florida Governors’ mansion & galleries in Georgia and North Carolina.
Mike continues his teaching career at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. In 2005 he was given the honor and opportunity to become part of the Folk School faculty. His goal is to make an already strong program even stronger.
