Resident Artists

Deborah Slahta

Hellertown native Deborah Slahta has worked with clay for nearly 30 years.

Electing to enroll in a studio ceramics class to fulfill the liberal arts requirement while completing a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Moravian College, Bethlehem, Deb was transformed by the art and has spent her career dedicated to the production of finely crafted work.

Deb has taught privately, maintained a home studio in Center Valley and was accepted as a juried artist at the Banana Factory in May 2000. She teaches clay classes for adults, after-school programs and summer camps for children. She has exhibited in galleries and juried shows throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio and Kentucky.

Deb likes to play with fire. Her current work includes Cone 6 electric stoneware and Raku. The Raku vessels are simple forms exploding with color, or the stark contrast of black and white. Carefully planned divisions of space are subjected to the uncertainty of the Raku firing process. The designs are strongly influenced by the part of Deb that majored in mathematics. Other influences in her work include the designs of architect Frank Lloyd Wright and Native American pottery.

Artist Statement

“I am happy to be part of an eclectic mix of thought and creativity. The Banana Factory is a good place to interact, to teach and to share all that art is.”

-Deborah Slahta