Janelle Songer’s art career began in the third grade when, during art hour, she transformed a clump of edible play dough into a representational rock composition. From then on she could be found destroying her parent’s house with a variety of art mediums. It wasn’t until 2005, after enrolling at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, that she chose Ceramics as her material for artistic expression.

In 2008, Janelle was awarded one of three annual Regina Brown Undergraduate Student Fellowships from the National Council of Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). These funds allowed her to finance a two week exploratory trip to Costa Rica where she studied exotic plant structures and ecosystems. In addition, she received the 2008 Student Award and 2010 Functional Pottery Award at Michigan Ceramics Art Association’s (MCAA) annual, juried show.

Spending her first 10 years of life in Philadelphia, PA and the following 9 years in Pinckney, MI gave Janelle an upbringing that inspired the need for adventure. In her 41 years, Janelle has travel through North and Central America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe where she gained perspective on life as well as inspiration for her work through the arts, cultures and landscapes she encountered. Janelle currently lives in Interlochen, MI where she works out of her home studio under the supervision of her three mischievous cats, dog (Maya), and partner in crime, Chris.