In Memoriam
June Kapos
McLean, VA | In Memoriam
Artist Statement: I attended Indiana University, doing undergraduate and graduate study in ceramics with Karl Martz. Continuing education in ceramics and related subjects has come from Penland and Arrowmont schools, an Idyllwild School on-site course in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico and many short workshops. I have been a studio potter since the early 1960’s
Obituary: We are sad to announce the passing of June Kapos, who died peacefully at home on 28th June, aged 89. June had a long and productive career as a creative and successful potter. In later years she derived great satisfaction from a second career breeding and raising Tibetan Spaniels. June Ellenwood was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on 24 February 1927. After graduating from Southside High School, she was educated at the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee and at Indiana University, where she obtained a BS in Art Education and attended graduate school in Ceramics. While at IU she met and married Ervin Kapos and had a daughter, Valerie. Pottery was an important part of June’s life. As an independent artist she exhibited widely, successfully entering work for over 50 national and regional competitive exhibitions across the country (including several Creative Crafts Council Biennials, and events at the Smithsonian, Corcoran Gallery of Art, and Museum of Contemporary Crafts in New York) and winning many awards. Her work, which was also exhibited in over 20 one-man shows, ranged from decorative but functional pieces to more sculptural objects and included both wheel-thrown and hand-built pieces. June’s work evolved substantially through her career, adding new materials and techniques. Her later pieces especially reflected her strong interest in the southwest and the work of Native American potters. During her long career she also passed on her skills, teaching ceramics at Indiana University, the San Diego Museum of Fine Arts and numerous venues in the Washington Area. June was an active member of the Kiln Club of Washington, and its president in 1984 and 1985. June’s lifelong love of animals led her first to having a number of beloved pets. Then when she stopped her studio work, she took up breeding, raising and showing Tibetan Spaniels, producing a number of champions in whom she took great pride. Dog training and showing connected her to people who became some of her greatest friends. She was an active member of the Potomac Valley Tibetan Spaniel Club. June is survived by her brother John Ellenwood, of Fort Wayne, and by her daughter Valerie and her family, Edmund, Maia and Clea Tanner, who all live in England. There will be a private commemoration of June and her life. June would appreciate being remembered through donations to an arts- or animal-related charity of your choice.
Exhibiting Member 1971-2016