Penny Allen and Jim Williams have been ceramists since 1970. After receiving undergraduate degrees from Stanford University and the University of Redlands, respectively, they met in graduate school at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1973. After a year-long trip around the world, which included apprenticeship at a pottery studio in Germany, they returned to the Art Institute where Penny received a masters degree in ceramics and sculpture.
Penny and Jim moved to California in 1978 and have operated a full time pottery studio since that time. Each ceramic piece is individually made from wheel-thrown, slab-rolled, and hand modeled parts by the artists--a collaborative husband/wife team. The surface of each form is composed of layered glazes and brushed oxides. Penny and Jim strive to honor both the artwork of the craft and the public who buys it. They are constantly working toward that delicate balance of form, texture and color which creates beautiful and functional artwork.