Linda Ifigenia Gottfried.

Linda earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from William Paterson University in New Jersey. She pursued a career in graphic design that ultimately led to a flourishing career in fundraising for several nonprofit organizations in New Jersey and Maryland.

After retiring in 2016, Linda returned to her love of art and began taking ceramics classes at the College of Southern Maryland where she studied under nationally-recognized ceramic artist Lindsay Pichaske.

Linda received several “Best in Show” awards at that time. In addition to student awards, Linda received “Best in Show” at the 2017 Annual Juried Art Show at Matawoman Creek Arts Center in Marbury, MD. Furthermore, she had a successful one-woman show at the Cox Arts Center in Huntingtown, MD.

After moving to Pennsylvania, in 2017, Linda initiated and led the “Women’s Creative Corner” at her Yellow Door Studio. The monthly meeting gives local women a creative outlet and a place to share their collective and individual artistic pursuits. In 2019, Linda’s ceramic work entitled, “Gandaberunda” was accepted into the Adams County Arts Council juried show at the Schmucker Art Gallery. Her work,

“Ye Shall Have Dominion” was again accepted for the 2020 show which was postponed until the Summer of 2021.

Much of Linda’s early work focused on birds and later fantasy birds pushing creative boundaries. She is currently creating totems exploring shape and form and learning to play well with clay.

Linda is a featured artist at The Foundry Artist Cooperative, 100 South Main Street in Chambersburg, PA, and The Cumberland Shop, 16 W. King Street in Shippensburg, PA. She lives in Fayetteville, PA with her husband Brad Gottfried, noted Civil War historian and author.

Artist Statement

“Inspiration must find you working.” – Pablo Picasso

Picasso sums up how I approach my creative process. I go into my studio and without expectation, begin to create. Even when I’m not feeling particularly inspired, I find my energy shifts once my hands touch clay. I first experienced this artistic inclination in second grade. My teacher at School No.13 in Paterson, New Jersey allowed me to paint while the rest of the class read aloud. Ms. Lauragay saw something in me and gave it space to grow. (I still recall several of the paintings I produced.) Today, I find being in touch with my inner child as mystical as it was back then. I am transported to a place without limitations, time, or any manmade constructs. My process is playing in clay with intention to form something beautiful and life affirming. It is my hope my work will bring something new into the world; a creative spark that would not otherwise exist except for the fact I played well with clay.

Education
BFA – William Paterson University
Wayne, New Jersey

Exhibits and Awards
Best is Show: “Gandaberunda”
College of Southern Maryland Juried Student Show 2017
Best in Show: “Gandaberunda”
Matawoman Creek Arts Center Juried Show 2017
One-person Show - Cox Arts Center 2019
Fired! Works in Clay by Regional Artists 2020
First Place Sculpture & Ceramics: “If the Shoe Fits”
49th Annual Franklin County Art Alliance Show 2021
Collector’s Choice Council for the Arts 2021
Adams County Arts Council Juried Art Exhibition 2019, 2021
Spotlight Show at Foundry Art Market “Unfinished/Finished” 2022

Memberships
Adams County Arts Council
Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
Council for the Arts, Chambersburg
Foundry Art Market
Susquehanna Art Museum