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Today's Featured Biography

Tracy Lackey Owens

Hi, all,

I arrived back in NY this past June - after a 29-year stint in Columbus, Ohio. Remember? After graduation, I was determined, come hell or high water, to go to art school. Well, I certainly did. I graduated in 1983 (or something like that; it's been a while) with a BFA in Ceramics and Ceramic Sculpture from The Columbus College of Art and Design. Not long after that I married my best friend, John Owens, who I met blowing glass at CCAD, and we became the very proud parents about a year later (yes, a year) of our son, Nathan, who's now almost 22. Nathan's back in Ohio, finishing his last year at Ohio University in Athens.

I spent the better part of the next 12 years in my studio, making and selling pots, while raising Nathan. John worked at The Columbus Museum of Art during that time, as preparator, then in the Registrar's Office, then in Exhibitions - he should have made Director, at some point - but even if he had, he would have hated that too (except the money). We broke it off when Nathan was just turning 13 - and went separate ways.

I left my studio and began working, eventually, at The Ohio State University, Wexner Center for the Arts, as the Assistant to the Director of Marketing and Communications. Yup, very much an office job, but I was still among artists, for the most part. I left there last January, after six years, and went on to work for an Engineering firm, managing their office. Everyone there reminded me of my Dad. It was too weird.

So, as Nathan had found the love of his life who was taking very good care of him (...I used to be that) and was doing fine in his last year of college, as well, I decided to return to NY and begin again here. I had been homesick for this place for 29 years, honestly.

I moved here with a friend of many years and we're sharing a Carriage House in Ballston Spa. I'm working as Executive Secretary in the Office of the President at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. Don't be too impressed... it's just a temp job. No idea what I'll do beyond this, in terms of work, yet. Keep me in mind - I'm looking.

I hope to resurrect my studio in the spring; I moved it here from Ohio (couldn't part with it) and live above a two-car garage that should serve nicely for just that purpose. I think they used to park their carriages in there, way back when - which is cool. Maybe not, but it's a nice image. The whole place is cool; I just love it and love being back home. As a side-note, I'll need an electrician to wire me for 220 to fire my kilns... I have plenty of service; just no 220, yet.

I've been so busy since I got here, I haven't even connected with some of the people I've missed that I know how to reach. I ran into Marcia Daly today who turned me on to this website and let me know about the planned reunion next summer. That was fun. And I've driven past Jimmy Caccavo's house a million times since June, as my parents now live in his housing development on Reynolds Road - but, I've never had the nerve to stop by and say hello. Believe it or not, I am shy in some situations. I've hung out with Pam Dierberg and her husband, Bill, and Tammy Barker, and her husband, Tom, and that's been great. I've kept in touch for years with Pat Powers (a year ahead of us) and have hung out with her, too. And I've seen Maureen Pratt (a year ahead of us, too) and had a great conversation. I have yet to call Karen Gilday, also from '76, I think; whose Mom was my Mom's best friend when they were in school, and, too, if any of you remember, was responsible for my breaking my back when she pushed me down Dead Man's Hill on a saucer after an ice storm when we were in Junior High - I really miss her, too; gotta call her.

I'd just love to hear from some of you!

Write when you can. Happy to have a way to connect!

Love ya,
T

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