Michal Alamalem
About the Artist
Born and raised in Israel to a family that immigrated from Russia, Michal Almalem studied Art History and Archaeology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She worked at several museums, including the First Temple Model in the Old City of Jerusalem, and the Ashdod Museum, where exhibits about archaeology and contemporary art were displayed. Michal taught art history in high school in Israel for several years. In 2003, Michal moved to Memphis, where she lives and works today. After many years of teaching students and integrating arts into everything she taught, Michal decided to follow her passion for pottery. A small class with artist Carol DeForest became a life-changing experience, and today Michal Almalem is working with young students and adults. Michal’s pieces reflect the course of her life and her personality. There are pieces reminiscent of Jerusalem stone, scenes, and history, and pieces that have conversations with art history. There are pieces that reflects her heritage, and pieces that focus on color, texture, fun, and joy. No two pieces are the same! Michal loves Michelangelo’s approach: that the piece is in the clay, and that her job is just to expose it; therefore, she doesn’t take orders or duplicate pieces.
May you enjoy purchasing and having a piece just as much as Michal enjoys making and glazing it!