I became a Christian in 1979 and in 1986 I joined Hoole Baptist Church. At that time I was a telecommunications design engineer for British Telecom based in Chester and North Wales. However, I have always felt interested in art and in 1992 God called me to leave my career at BT and to pursue those interests in art. I then completed an art and design foundation course in Chester, a BA (Hons) Ceramics course in Cardiff and latterly a PGCE teacher training course in Newport. I hope to finish my formal education by starting an MA in Ceramics in 2001.

I enjoy drawing, painting, artistic research and making objects. For a long time I have been keenly interested in a broad range of visual stimuli, including Baroque and Classical architecture, trains, cars and Americana. Drawing upon this visual fascination for my ceramics work, I have developed a passion for creating reliquary receptacles, memorials and commemorative plates that visually celebrate aspects of an individual's life and also incorporate elements from my own Christian beliefs.
After the MA, for the future, I envisage career opportunities in teaching on many different levels in the post-16 sector, ceramic technician work, artist-in-residences and commissions.

Mike Priestly

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