Having grown up in Tibet, I developed a deep appreciation for community, a value I've continued to uphold through volunteer work during my high school and university years in the USA. Now settled in Madison, I am eager to make a meaningful contribution to this community that I proudly call home.

My early exposure to Tibetan and Chinese art, combined with participating in national competitions and earning awards, showed me firsthand the profound impact of art and cultural understanding on personal growth and perspective. I still recall with clarity traveling through bustling cities as a child to attend drawing classes, experiences that instilled in me a profound sense of belonging and achievement.

My journey with ceramics began at Hamilton Middle School shortly after my arrival in the USA in 2005, but it was at West High School under the guidance of Mr. Phil Lyons where my passion for pottery truly blossomed. As his assistant, I honed my skills and earned accolades, including a prestigious Gold Key Award displayed at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Art has always been a cornerstone of my life, motivating me to create accessible studio spaces and share the enriching experience of working with clay with our community—both young and adult alike.

Inspired by my family's legacy of embracing challenges and venturing beyond comfort zones, I proudly established my own pottery studio in 2017, with an additional location in 2020. We are excited to witness our clay community flourish.

Join me in exploring the boundless possibilities of visual art.

Warm regards,

Lejia Dongzhu