Betty Spindler (born 1943) is an American ceramist, known for her ceramic renditions of fruits, vegetables, and other foods through clay, newspaper, and vibrant colors.[1]

Betty Spindler
Born1943 (age 80–81)
NationalityAmerican
Education
Known forCeramic art
Notable workHot Dog

Life

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Born in Long Beach, California in 1943, Spindler struggled with learning disabilities as a child, getting diagnosed with dyslexia a few years later.[2][3] She began her art career with classes at Sherman E. Burroughs High School, but did not immediately continue with her college education. She married and started a family.

Education

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Spindler resumed her formal art education in 1979, with classes at Cerro Coso Community College where she began to focus on ceramics.[4] She graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in 1986.[2] She then attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990 at the age of 47.[2][3]

Career

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While Spindler's ceramics work started as a hobby, she slowly parlayed this into a professional career. Her most prominent work, the 2000 sculpture Hot Dog, is on permanent display in the Smithsonian American Art Museum.[5][1] Other works of hers are included in the permanent collections of the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, California, and the Winfield Gallery in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.[6]

Spindler has frequently spoken to students on her experiences in overcoming learning disabilities. In 2012, she served as a Distinguished Speaker for her alma mater Cerro Coso Community College's commencement exercises. She has also served as a trustee for Kern Community College District and the California Association of Community Colleges and served on the Governor of California's Commission for Disabled Students.[3]

Personal life

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She currently resides in Ridge Crest, California.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b Granahan, Andrea (July 4, 2012). "Hot dogs, ice cream cones and art". Press Democrat. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  2. ^ a b c "Betty Spindler". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "Betty Spindler". Cerro Coso Community College Alumni. Cerro Coso Community College. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  4. ^ Camille Gavin (February 10, 2006). "Theater takes stab at wacky 'Robin Hood'". Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  5. ^ "Hot Dog by Betty Spindler". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  6. ^ Ruth Justis (July 1, 2012). "Open Studio Tour - Betty Spindler". Ridgecrest News. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  7. ^ "Betty Spindler | Smithsonian American Art Museum". americanart.si.edu. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
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