Ilena has been practicing ceramics since the 1980s. She graduated from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, in 1996 with a degree in both Ceramic Sculpture and Theatre Design and Direction. For many years, she worked as a professional theatre artist, with pottery as her ‘side gig.’ During COVID, when the live performance industry collapsed, her side-gig became her main-gig. Her ceramic work has been shown all over the lower mainland and the US, with sales and commissions from Germany, the UK, and Australia. Ilena can be found most days either at her studio at the City Centre Artist Motel on Main Street or at the Richmond Arts Centre, where she works as a teacher and studio technician.
About Arts Education
North Van Arts offers arts education in the form of courses, workshops, seminars, camps and in-school programming for all ages, interests and abilities.