You may know Kevin Brady as an Upper School ceramics teacher, but read on to learn more about how he got involved with the art.
How’d you get into ceramics?
Since I was about five years old, that was my first ceramics class. I remembered it because the teacher was so amazing. I spent a short time in military school. I went to a Jesuit high school in my hometown. The football and track coach was also the art teacher. He was very encouraging.
I’ve heard you went to John Denver’s wedding. Can you tell me a little bit about that?
I briefly met him. His wedding was in Aspen, Colorado, on Buttermilk Mountain. It seems like a lifetime ago. A friend of mine was good friends with him. With him and his wife, I ended up tagging along as a plus one.
What’s one thing you wish people knew about ceramics?
For some folks, it’s much more difficult than it looks. You need play, process and practice.
When did you first come to Hockaday, and what did you teach?
When I came to Hockaday in 1984, I came to teach photography, ceramics and sculpture. The photo lab was in Tarry House under the stairs. The ceramics studio was in a portable building where the child care center is.
Before Hockaday, what did you do?
My first teaching job was for the Hallmark Foundation in Kansas City as a kid when I taught other kids from different school areas. When I went to graduate school, I had a teaching fellowship at UNT. After I graduated there with my MFA, I taught a semester design course.
What do you do with all your ceramics artwork?
I sell the pieces. I work with different galleries and shops. My collection of different pieces that I’ve collected are in my house. My garage is full of pieces that are waiting to be finished.
Maria Harrison – Asst. Features Editor