Bio
Adrea Davina Beres
Artist | Educator | Herbalist | Therapist
Living and making on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Grand Marais, MN.
The Name
In case you were wondering there is no ‘N’ in my first name. I tell people it’s pronounced like the ‘Adriatic Sea’. My mother put a lot of thought into choosing my first and middle names. Both of which hold meaning related to my father. My father died when I was only 5, and truly owning and loving my name was often one of the the only connections I felt to a man I never got to know. My mother later died when I was just 36. Each of my parents deaths have profoundly shaped and impacted my life. My given name is something that I hold very dear to my heart as it allows me to honor them, connect with them, and remember them. So here I am with an odd name with an odd spelling, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Ceramics Background
My first encounter with ceramics was about 30 years ago at the age of 15 and I immediately fell in love. I was fortunate and privileged to have the opportunity to study ceramics all 3 years of high school where I learned the basics of functional wheel-thrown pottery, as well as the very exciting and unpredictable Raku and pit firing processes. I went on to study ceramics at the University of Minnesota where I additionally learned clay and glaze formulation, hand building techniques, and how to fire electric oxidation, gas reduction, and soda kilns. I took a 15+ year break from ceramics, returning to the medium in 2020.
Education & Other Endeavors
I completed my Bachelor's degree in Health Education, and later a Master of Social Work degree from Augsburg University, and I hold licensure as an Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). I worked in the mental health field as a case manager, program manager, and therapist in Minneapolis, MN for about a decade until moving to Grand Marais. I am very interested on the lasting effects of trauma, healing historical trauma, somatic therapies, and polyvagal theory.
In 2012, I learned the basics of traditional jewelry fabrication (silversmithing) and focused on this medium from 2012-2018. I have also received training in clinical herbalism and have practiced and studied the field for the past decade.
Current Work
Currently, my primary artistic focus is on creating contemporary, decorative, and functional pottery made from white porcelain, and brown and black stoneware that is fired to cone 5/6 in an electric, oxidation kiln. I make my work both on the potters wheel and handbuilt with slabs and coils. I frequently decorate my work using Mishima, and slip trailed or screen printed images that I transfer onto the clay.
Read my full artist statement for more details.