Born in San Francisco, Amy Donaldson’s early training as a painter was at University of Denver and Reed Art School. After settling in San Diego, in 1926, she studied painting with Alfred Mitchell, Rex Brandt and Millard Sheets. In the mid-1940s she turned her attention to pottery - studying with Shoji Hamada and Dean Strawn.
Born in San Francisco, during her youth Amy Donaldson spent much of her leisure time in San Diego where her grandparents resided. Her early training as a painter came via studying at the University of Denver and Reed Art School in Denver. After settling in San Diego, in 1926, she studied oil painting with Alfred Mitchell and watercolor with Rex Brandt and Millard Sheets.
In the mid-1940s she turned her attention to pottery - she studied with Shoji Hamada and Dean Strawn among others - and became well known nationally as a ceramist. She began to exhibit her pottery during the early 1950's in San Diego as a member of the Allied Craftsmen and the San Diego Art Guild. In 1967 she stopped working in ceramics. She died in Chula Vista on January 28, 1987.
Partial List of exhibitions:
Everson Museum, Syracuse, New York (3 Ceramic Nationals)
Wichita Art Association
Oakland Art Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
Los Angeles County Museum
Fine Arts Gallery, San Diego
Los Angeles County Fair, Pomona
Long Beach Museum of Art
So. Cal. Exposition, Del Mar
Scripps College
Denver Art Museum
Ca. State Fair, Sacramento
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