Doug Jeppesen

How did you become interested in Ceramics?

I really stumbled into it. I was taking art classes at the University of Tulsa, and I wandered down into the ceramics studio. One of my good friends was taking a class there, the professor said, hey, when are you going to come take a class? Four weeks into it, I knew that was what I was going to do for the rest of my life. I was fascinated by the material, the history, the science, the written part of it, the creativity. It just encompassed everything, and that was pretty amazing.

How would you describe your teaching style and what can students expect in class with you?

I would say it's hands on, but I don't hover. Students have the space to breathe and to create. But if they've got a question, I'm right there.

What should students know about studying Ceramics at Waubonsee?

There are some incredible opportunities. We have these amazing kilns here –I think we have 16 or 17 now. And the outdoor kiln yard– we're there around the clock sometimes. We're completely involved in this process. So there's so much that happens there. We'll make pizza, wood fired pizza.

How do you spend your time when you’re not teaching? 

Well, I have my home studio. I like creating things. A couple of years ago, my dad gave me a couple hot rods. So I've been playing with those and working on them. My students were thinking, you don't make any artwork anymore. I was like, oh, I'm working with a different medium right now. And I picked up my trumpet about 10 or 11 years ago, after not playing it for 30 years. And so I love playing music too.