Honoring Over 20 Years at the Heart of the Craft Alliance Clay Studio
If you’ve spent any time in our clay studio over the last two decades, you already know Bev Aroh. Serving as both Clay Faculty and Clay Studio Assistant, Bev has been the steady hand and boundless wealth of knowledge keeping our kilns firing and our community of makers thriving. With her retirement approaching and her final day in the studio this Friday, we sat down with her for a special video feature, “A Quick Chat with Bev Aroh.”
While she has been an invaluable part of Craft Alliance for over 20 years, Bev’s personal journey with ceramics actually began back in the 1950s. Looking for a hobby while raising her family in Washington state, she stumbled into a weekend workshop using clay dug directly from the earth. That single, serendipitous Raku firing sparked a passion that spans decades and continents. Her practice eventually led her to do production work in California and run a ceramics program for military families stationed in Germany, before she finally brought her incredible talents and teaching spirit to us here in St. Louis.
More Than Just Glaze and Clay
While she has a deep, technical mastery of the craft—and an absolute favorite in the Malcolm Davis Shino glaze—Bev knows that the studio provides something much deeper than technical skills.
In the interview, she shares a profound perspective on the therapeutic power of the medium. She notes that students often walk through our doors carrying the heavy, complicated burdens of daily life. But the moment their hands touch the earth, everything shifts. As Bev perfectly puts it, the clay demands your absolute focus, offering a rare and tactile respite from the outside world.
Watch the Full Interview & Say Farewell
Grab your favorite handmade cup, get comfortable, and tune in to “A Quick Chat with Bev Aroh.”
You’ll hear the stories behind her organic approach to design, discover why a simple needle tool is her most trusted companion, and see exactly what has kept her inspired. As she steps away to dedicate more time to her private work—and perhaps explore a bit more silk screening—we want to express our deepest gratitude for her incredible tenure with us.
Please join us in wishing Bev a wonderful retirement. If you are in the studios before she leaves this Friday, be sure to give her a warm farewell!
Bev, I hope that you have a happy retirement. I want to thank you for answering all of my questions, sharing your knowledge and being a really good friend. You mentored Mark and I, we both appreciate all of your help. You have such a wealth of knowledge and so willing to share that knowledge. You have been the heart and soul of Craft Alliance. I remember when we started pottery and we did private lessons with you. Then you introduced to the Sunday morning crew and it was like finding a new family. I’ve missed seeing you the last few years.
I have had the great pleasure of being a student of Bev’s for the last 20 years. I have learned so much with her and have admired her patience, her knowledge and her teaching style. No matter how poor my work was, she always made me feel successful and helped me to grow in my love of working with clay. She is so helpful in so many ways. She generously shares not only her wisdom, but also her supplies! She is so right about how you can just get into a zone and leave all of your troubles behind. Bev is amazing in not only her talent with clay, but all of the physical labor that goes with the job. She will be greatly missed in the studio, but I am glad to know that she will still be coming in to teach. Craft Alliance will not be the same when she is not there. For me, and I believe many others, when Bev is not present there will be a huge void in the soul of the studio. Best always to Bev, my teacher and my wonderful friend.
Bev was an inspiration to me in my pursuit of a new artistic journey. She challenged me and her encouragement help me to find a path that has given me so much joy. She will be missed by many