We are so excited to introduce to you our three new board members here at the IPCA. 

Sit down with a cuppa and enjoy reading their bios and links to their pages.

Note: Per Article VI, Section 3 of our bylaws, members do not vote if there is only one applicant for a position; the nominee is elected.

Vice President of Program Development: Corliss Rose

Corliss Rose is an American artist working primarily in the field of jewelry design and production. She is a partner in the design studio 2Roses which is a collaboration of Corliss Rose and John Lemieux Rose. Piece by Corliss RoseThe studio, located in Southern California, is focused on producing one-of-a-kind and limited-edition adornment and objects d’ art, and is well known for its use of a wide range of highly unorthodox materials. The studio output is eclectic by design, and often blended with an irreverent sense of humor. 2Roses designs have been sold world-wide and are exhibited in major art institutions in the US, Europe, and China.

Together, John and Corliss have served on the board of directors/advisors to many national and international arts organizations, including the Society of North American Goldsmiths, National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, the Metal Arts Society of Southern California, and the Art Jewelry Forum.

Follow her on Facebook for more of her art and her weekly post called Monday’s Child - A Weekly Creative Shot in the Arm.

Treasurer: Sherri Thompson

Sherri Thompson of LunaMeraki Studio is a multimedia artist and educator, currently specializing in wearable artworks created from polymer clay and precious metal clay.Sherri's winning piece on Meet your Makers Showdown. Her creative works are eclectic, and often feature organic or rustic themes. Sherri has been creating in countless forms and mediums since childhood, but found a real passion for polymer clay in the last decade. The endless possibilities that polymer clay provides sparks and inspires her imagination like no other medium. Creativity and expression are her driving life force and allows her to physically manifest her thoughts, feelings, and ideas in an aesthetically pleasing way. She hopes her art invokes your emotions and creates a connection.

She is a published artist, as seen in Passion for Polymer magazine. She creates tutorials and teaches polymer clay courses on various platforms. Sherri is also the 2021 winner of Meet Your Makers Showdown, a creative reality competition show on Discovery+. 

She currently lives in the wilderness of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which has a definite influence on her artwork and style. Sherri can be found on her website at www.lunamerakistudio.com. You can find her on Instagram too.

Secretary: Debra Sher

Debra Sher lived most of her life in northern Virginia and moved to Tampa, FloPendant by Debra Sherrida in 2011. She spent 3 years of her elementary school years in Norway—and when she was in high school in Virginia, her best friend from 2nd and 3rd grade in Norway ended up in her 10th grade English class. They quickly became close friends again and continue to stay in touch.

She earned a B.A. in Education from the University of Florida and was planning to become a teacher. However, a summer job led her to a 46-year career heading up Membership and Marketing departments in associations. During this time, she earned a Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation.

She created and sold beaded jewelry starting in 2000, and then developed a love for fused art glass in 2012, which she still does today. She was introduced to polymer clay about 34 years ago when her glass art studio had a “Fun Friday” featuring polymer clay. It was just a 3-hour introductory session and she was hooked. Knowing the value of associations in educating and bringing together people with the same interests, she quickly joined some local polymer clay guilds and IPCA. Like many other members, she can’t get enough of learning new techniques…and everything polymer clay.

We are so happy to have these three artists join our board and bring their creativity, inspiration, and ideas. As many of you know, being in a group or guild really takes dedication to keep it going. It is true what they say... It takes a village. We couldn't grow and develop without our members stepping in to help support this organization.