Art has always been a part of Mrs. Defibaugh’s life.
Her journey with art began in high school, in Farmington, Michigan, where she fell in love with drawing and ceramics.
Although she later studied photography and graphic design in college, ceramics is the medium that stuck with her and that she enjoyed the most.
“I love to use the potter’s wheel because it is very relaxing and I can create diverse shapes and functions with each piece I create. I love design!”, she explains.
She’s been teaching ceramics at PCHS since 2018, when she took over because, funnily enough, no one else wanted to.
“A position opened and the other Art teachers did not want to teach it! Ha Ha.”, she says.
With experience from EMU, AnnArbor Potters Guild, WCC, and Clay Works Studio in AnnArbor, she was confident she could take over.
Mrs. Defibaugh loves making things out of clay because it takes on a sculptural and functional characteristic. Recently she made a few moon jars, she’s especially proud of.
She shared: “These were difficult to create due to the technique and time involved and rewarding at the same time!” She also appreciates making Urns appreciating the emotional connection each piece carries.
Teaching, however, is what keeps her inspired.
“I love the spontaneity of each student I have the privilege to work with! Everyone approaches ceramics or metal arts from a different perspective. Teaching is not a one way road. I learn a lot from my students”
She strives to create an atmosphere and student and teacher relationships that generate a mutual respect for one another.
A thing that her students don’t know about her is that she has run three marathons!!! Running has been a passion of hers from 8th grade on.
This holiday season, her students are participating in a pop-up store at Kensington Outlet Mall, called MI Unique Art. They are selling their work to the public and enjoying the responsibility of making clean work, pricing and creating detailed inventory lists!
As one of her students, Bella, said “Ms. Defibaugh is the most passionate person I know. She is kind, creative, and goes out of her way to help her students achieve their fullest potential. She inspires me everyday and has taught me to embrace every accident and mishap and make art out of everything I see. She is the living definition of an artist.” And anyone who’s ever had her as a teacher would agree.
