Joan received her Master of Fine Arts degree at Cranbrook Academy of Art. She taught at many universities including Pennsylvania State University, University of Michigan, and was Chairman of Ceramics and Glass at Ohio University. Her work is in several permanent museum collections including The Detroit Institute of Arts, The Canton Art Institute, The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, The University of Michigan Museum of Art, The University of California Santa Barbara Special Collections, as well as in many private collections. She continues to exhibit her work and presents lectures and workshops throughout the U.S. and abroad. Her pieces are conceived as concepts and presented as abstract sculpture. They allude to dance, music, poetry, and philosophy. Currently, she is working in porcelain and bronze.
"We Are One" is composed of three bronze dancers, inspired by Martha Graham, the Mother of Modern Dance. Martha would tour universities offering master dance classes. She would be draped in long black dresses, skimming her body, as she gestured dance movements while leaning on her cane. This piece represents the gesture of Martha Graham. She inspired everyone!
We are one, as we celebrate our dance of freedom and opportunity in our great country.
