Julianne first took wheel-throwing classes from Helen Peterson through Grossmont High School Adult Education in La Mesa, California, her interest having been sparked by childhood ceramic classes at the Junior Museum in Palo Alto, California. A move to Dutch Flat, California, in 1976 afforded more space. Julianne had a studio and kiln built right on the property. Now able to produce work at a much more consistent pace, she created Diggins Dirtworks and began to show and sell her work.

 Julianne Herz Smith

Ceramist ·  Diggins Dirtworks

Julianne continues to hone and practice her skills. She recently completed an intensive two-week long course with Ben Parks in Tuscarora, Nevada. She has also taken classes with Jim Adamson at Sierra College in Rocklin, California, and with Rodney Mott in Penryn, California. In addition, she has actively participated in many different workshops at the Mendocino Art Center and Sierra Nevada College.

Julianne at Potter's Wheel

Julianne creates each hand-thrown piece as an individual work of art. The environment in which each piece is fired in the kiln can never be exactly duplicated, so no two are identical. Every piece is fired to at least 2,000°F, making it ovenproof and microwave- and dishwasher-safe. All glazes are lead-free and suitable for food preparation and serving.

Julianne has a B.S. in nursing from Stanford University. She worked in the fields of public health and school nursing, but for the majority of her adult life she has enjoyed the challenges of being a wife and mother. In the last decade, now that her children are grown, she has been able to focus more seriously on her ceramic craft.

Articles about Julianne's work: Colfax Record article