Virginia May

I want to share the joy of being human. Virginia has 20 years experience as a ceramic artist. Her sculptural vases are functional and meant to be adorned with flowers which brings out the personality of each piece. She works out of a community studio inspired by the creativity and fellowship of ceramic artists.

Originally from Boston she moved to The San Francisco Bay Area in 1985. She has traveled the world extensively, observing people of many cultures.

Virginia has studied and made art since high school, owned a gallery, been the director of Petaluma Arts Center, raised children, renovated houses, created gardens, and more. Spirituality is a major aspect of her life.

For Virginia, creativity is a way of feeling alive.

I got my first degree in photography in 1976. And my BA in 1981, MFA in 2005 and a PhD with a focus on art in 2011. That means I’ve been in the art world for 50 years.

2026 – Marin Society of Artists, Materials Matter, Juried Show, San Rafael, CA - Ceramics
2025 – Featured at San Francisco Designers Showcase, CA - Ceramics
2025 – Represented by Ink and Porcelain – Ceramics
2024 – Petaluma Arts Center, Member’s Show, CA – Ceramics
2024 – Marin Society of Artists, World of Ceramics, Juried Show, San Rafael, CA - Ceramics
2024 – San Francisco Women Artists, August Abstractions Juried Show, CA – Ceramics
2024 – Art League of Lincon, Feats of Clay Juried Show, CA – Ceramics
2023, 2024, 2025 – Petaluma Pottery Member’s Show, CA – Ceramics
2016 – New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists, Juried Show, Santa Fe NM – Ceramics
2011 – Petaluma Arts Center, Member’s Show, CA – Ceramics
2005 – Queensland Institute of Technology, Traces. Solo Show, Brisbane AU – Painting
1984 – The Dance Palace, Solo Show, Pt Reyes Station CA – Painting
1982 – Third Street Gallery, Solo Show, Philadelphia, PA – Painting