DVAA Member since 2026

Sarah James

WEBsite: www.sarahjameshandmade.com

About:

Sarah James grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania. Nothing gave her more joy than the big box of Crayola crayons that were made in her hometown. The colors and their names thrilled her – like Cornflower Blue, Chartreuse, Periwinkle and Burnt Sienna. Her father was a Chemistry professor, and while he didn’t want her to go to art school, he did teach her to develop black and white photography, thus setting her on an art-making path. She has her MFA in Printmaking from the University of Washington.

Artist Statement:

I have always loved making things with my hands. On weekends as a kid, I went to art classes or the library – looking at art books or borrowing records. I was definitely influenced by trips to the Mercer Tileworks when I was young and in high school my family lived in Germany for 8 months. I visited the Modern Art Museum instead of attending gym class.

Following family losses, I feel a real fire under me to create. My mother loved my hand printed linocut cards. She was of the generation that sent them often, for many occasions. The people at her care community enjoyed receiving them.

I have something in me that wants to help others, be useful. Both printmaking and ceramics are mediums that provide that outlet – be it a card or a tile sign.
You may see my mosaic house numbers around Philadelphia and across the country. I'm thrilled to be in the November 2026 show "Good Grief" and the piece "For Mary Lou" is in my mother's honor.