Loon Chip & Dip

Energy and tranquility are twin threads in the life of potter Joan Hannah. She was born and raised on a truck farm in Franconia, NH. Both parents were ski racers and her mother was a sculptor. Joan first tried her hand at pottery in high school and continued for a year at Bennington College and Mills College. She then studied with Ken Ferguson and Victor Babu at the Kansas City Art Institute from 1979-1981. Joan began her other compelling interest- skiing- at age three, and first raced at age ten. This lead to a place on the Olympic and World Championship teams from 1960 to 1966. She won a Bronze medal in 1962 in the Giant Slalom at the World Championships. Ski racing led to ski teaching, and she became a member of the Amer- Interski team, which demonstrates skiing techniques internationally. Joan moved to Vail in 1968 to teach skiing, but she never lost her love of ceramics. She opens up a pottery studio in the winter to create her beautiful works. Joan has also not forgotten her parents. In 1992 she returned to New Hampshire to work the earth on their farm, and still teaches skiing a few days a week.