Nancy Lovett ‘74
Nancy Wells Lovett has worked in clay for over 30 years. She studied with Richard Peeler and credits his teaching for inspiring her passion for “creating in the mud.” Following graduation from DePauw, Nancy continued her studies at IUPUI in Indianapolis while teaching in the public school system. In 1978 Nancy accepted a position as Resident Artist/Potter with Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee and for eight years she ran their ceramics program and made pots for a living. This experience gave her great appreciation for those who are full time artists.
Currently, Nancy is the major gifts officer for DePauw. She is still making pots and has enjoyed giving her work to alumni who have made major gifts to DePauw. She was also a member of the Greencastle Galleria, a gallery exhibiting art and crafts of local artists. Nancy sums up her work for DePauw and her work in clay, “I consider it an honor and privilege to raise funds to support scholarships and faculty support at DePauw. It is great work and I absolutely love meeting with alumni and friends of the University. In fact, I feel that raising money is a creative type of work for no two situations are the same. Still, I would not feel complete without the chance to also create in clay. I am immensely thankful to be able to do both.”
Over the years Nancy has experimented with many different techniques in forming and firing clay. Nancy is currently working with Marj Peeler on a collaborative series where Nancy creates forms using the potter’s wheel and Marj carves on the shapes. Nancy and Marj are also working to recreate some of the whimsical forms exhibited in the Peeler pottery book. Look for pots signed, “Nancy and Marj” or “Lovett & Peeler.”