Jim Ransom is a long time Willamette Art Center artist who teaches the Saturday morning wheel throwing class. Jim is a skilled wheel thrower who also makes clay whistles.

Jim is a part-time local potter and state employee and who lives in Salem and works out of the Willamette Art Center. Jim initially took wheel-throwing classes at Mt. Hood Community College in 1974. Jim moved to Salem and worked out of a home studio until the late 70s. Jim then took a leave from working with clay. Moving to a new home, changing jobs, and helping to raise a family all contributed to a twenty-year hiatus from art. Jim rediscovered his love of working with clay and in time, was asked to teach a variety of classes including wheel-throwing, musical clay, and advanced wheel-throwing techniques. He continues to teach classes at the Willamette Art Center.

Jim tends to develop work that is functional, yet has a whimsical flair. He feels that it is important to have a “hands on” relationship with his work. A functional piece of art, be it a jar with a lid, a cup, or a whistle, encourages interaction by being touched or used. Even larger work continues this theme as seen in his drums and whistling water vessels.

Jim is a regular contributor to The Salem Art Association’s Clay Ball, Partnership in Community Living’s Summer Solstice Art Auction, Marion County Food Share’s Empty Bowls Sale, and other charitable events. His work can be found at the Willamette Art Center Gallery, Red Raven Gallery, Elsinore Gallery and Framing, and the River Gallery in Independence.