Joretha Hall was born in Hart, Texas. Her family moved to Southern California in 1942. They lived in
Lawndale, a suburb near Los Angeles, until the late 1950’s.
Majoring in Fine Art and Art History, Joretha earned her degrees at Harbor Community College and
California State University at Dominguez Hills. During this time she took several lab classes in ceramics.
Not especially interested in the throwing process and creating pots, Joretha turned her attention to
sculpting figures.
Finding her “niche” in hand built figures, Joretha sold her pieces at galleries, accessory shops and arts
and craft shows for a number of years. In order to increase productivity popular pieces were eventually
used to make molds. After a few months of “mass production” the decision was made to abandon the
idea and all molds were destroyed. Today, all pieces are unique. Joretha is constantly incorporating
new inspirations and ideas into her work.
Retiring from a thirty-year career in the retail business, Joretha and her husband Richard moved to
Santa Fe in February 1999. Becoming one of the “emerging artists” in the Santa Fe area, Joretha
formed “CLAY COMPANIONS”. All “companions” are created with one purpose “whimsy and fun“. Each
figure or grouping is intended to remind you of someone you know or have heard about.
“CLAY COMPANIONS” are stoneware figures carved with personality to bring pleasure to your home.
Using high fire clay adding slips, stains and glazes for enhancement each personality is brought to life!
Joretha is currently showing her work in galleries in Santa Fe and Ruidoso.
