Local ceramicist and Department Head at Sedona Arts Center, Dennis Ott has won the 2018 Governor’s Arts Award for Arts in Education | Individual, presented on Thursday evening at the Governor’s Arts Awards Gala held in Phoenix, Arizona. The Governor’s Arts Awards are presented by Arizona Citizens for the Arts in partnership with the Office of the Governor. Since 1981, more than 200 distinguished artists, individuals, arts and cultural organizations, educators and businesses have received Governor’s Arts Awards.
“Dennis brings a lot of experience to his teaching but as important is his sense of playfulness and fun. People often arrive at their first art class a bit nervous—maybe even intimidated—or afraid they don’t have talent, Dennis has a gift for creating a learning environment where it is OK to make mistakes and experiment because it’s all part of the creative process. Our offices are upstairs from the Ceramics Studio in the Art Barn and we constantly hear the laughter from that process rising up through the floor boards!” says Executive Director, Vince Fazio.
The Arts in Education Individual award recognizes, educators, teaching artists, school administrators or school volunteers that have demonstrated significant support or participation in activities which foster excellence in, appreciation of, or access to arts education in the State of Arizona.
Dennis Ott worked for 25 years in retail management in California where he raised his family prior to moving to Sedona. Tired of the hectic lifestyle in Los Angeles, Dennis and his wife Pat took a leap of faith and made Sedona their home in 1989.
“Shortly after relocating, I found myself with time on my hands to explore new adventures. After enrolling in a silversmithing class at Sedona Arts Center, my life changed forever. I was a terrible silversmith, but soon discovered the “SAC Clay World.” Enrolling in weekly classes, experiencing amazing pottery instructors, and evolving into an emerging artist along with other potters, I embraced the world of everything clay,” recalled Dennis Ott.
Over the course of the last 25 years, Dennis has grown from being a ceramics student, to a beginning instructor, to heading up the Center’s Ceramics Department for the last 16 years. Dennis shares his passion for clay to more than just the local Sedona community. Among so many accomplishments over the years, Dennis has organized workshops in Italy, built a kiln in Nicaragua, re-launched the Loving Bowls fundraiser, and interacts regularly with a multitude of clay artists organizing exhibitions and presentations.
In 2017, Dennis Ott received the City of Sedona Mayor’s Arts Award for Arts Instruction and was nominated for the 2017 Governor’s Arts Award, also for arts instruction.
“My life is full, rich and blessed, and I give honor and thanks to the Sedona Arts Center for opening up these pathways that have lead me to where I am today!” says Dennis Ott.
Today, Dennis continues to share his passion for clay by teaching at Sedona Arts Center at his ongoing weekly classes and workshops. The Sedona Arts Center’s ceramic department offers flexible and diverse programming in both traditional and contemporary techniques. In Dennis’ classes, students can learn to throw a variety of forms on the potter’s wheel or techniques to create hand-built works. Slab roller, extruder and forms are also available to create functional and decorative pieces.
“Dennis is a fantastic instructor, enthusiastic, encouraging, helpful, shares great and new ideas and demonstrates methods showing simple ways to be creative. Always upbeat and positive. I love his class and hope to continue being part of this great experience. Taking ceramics at SAC has added something very special to my life. Working with clay and actually making something with my hands allows me let go of all the stress of daily life.” – Arlene George, Sedona AZ
The Sedona Arts Center Staff and Board of Directors are extremely proud of Dennis and Congratulate him on this fantastic achievement and wish him continued happiness and success. The Sedona Arts Center is hosting a Birthday Party and Silent Auction on April 6 from 5 to 8pm in celebration of their 60th Anniversary. The guest of honor will most definitely be their Ceramics Department Head and winner of the 2018 Governor’s Arts Award, Dennis Ott!
Sedona Arts Center is one of Northern Arizona’s most well-established cultural organizations and serves as the creative heart of Sedona. Founded in 1958, the nonprofit organization is based at the Art Barn in Uptown and offers year-round classes, exhibitions, festivals, and cultural events that enhance the creative life of the Verde Valley. The Center’s Fine Art Gallery, open daily from 10am to 5pm, promotes the original works of over 100 local artists and regularly offers special assistance for collectors and art buyers, offers private studio visits, and fosters hundreds of arts education opportunities each year. For more information, call the Gallery at 928-282-3865.
