Marie Wojdelski

Artist Marie Wojdelski has loved the color light blue since she was young. Visiting the big city from suburban Burbank, she saw the Chicago flag often (it echoed her eye color), and it worked its way into her artwork years later.

Wojdelski (born 1982, Chicago), and her family lived very close to the city dividing line, and took advantage of it; trips to the lake, parks and theaters. Sports were ingrained in her family life due to the proximity of so many good teams. They loved the Hawks, the Bulls, and later she gravitated towards the Cubs (and has season tickets!).

Throughout high school, Wojdelski was heavily into the performing arts. She learned most aspects of creating a production, taking a deep interest in set design, and figuring out creative solutions for backstage work. Wojdelski was more comfortable behind the scenes, but did end up landing a hefty roll in the play “Picnic.” She acted her heart out and had wonderful reviews. The entire experience stayed with her, as well as her time on the speech team. When she went to college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she ended up peppering theater classes in with her education studies, a testament to how much she missed it.

Wojdelski received her degree in English Education for Secondary Education, with minors in speech, theater and science in 2004. Two years after her Bachelors, she joined Roosevelt University in Chicago for a Masters in Counseling (2006). Then two years after that, a certification in Educational Leadership and Administration from the American College of Education (2008). All of her extra course work around education was inspired by her teaching at Thornton Township High School in Harvey, IL.

Wojdelski joined Thornton in 2005, and still happily works there today! The students, atmosphere and school community is what she fell in love with, and this shows with all of the extra curricular programs she helps shape. She is co-head coach for the speech team, and heads up the drama department. She’s consistently thrilled with the caliber of talent that emerges in these programs, and some of her students have gone off to be actors on Chicago PD, radio DJ’s or have transitioned into teaching themselves. She gets a lot out of knowing she provides her students with emotional support as well as helping them see their own potential. The testament of her effort is returned in the form of her students keeping in touch. Some over social media (where she is their cheerleader), and some by coming back and visiting. All have shown a deep appreciation for her unwavering support of their aspirations, which in turn inspires her.

Wojdelski gets to delve into her creative side quite a bit when she’s helping her students stage a performance. She’ll tap into her experience of set design and guide young adults through the process. She’ll set the parameters and provide assistance, but they are the ones to collaborate and come up with ideas. Their next competitive pieces will be performed in 2022, and Wojdelski is already excited about them.

Wojdelski’s two local cousins Delilah and Ramona Zak, were established at Lincoln Square Pottery Studio - Learning Center by 2014. She won a session, and joined her family there for the Wednesday evening class. Wojdelski started in wheel throwing, but ended up hand building because she had more control over the process. Being a more structured person, the unpredictability of throwing on the wheel just didn’t fit her. But class was good timing, because it provides her with a nice break in the middle of the week, as well being a great stress reliever. Having a fun evening with her core group of friends each week is yet another highlight. A text thread and a seven year long stretch with these other artists has made her appreciate their point of view, as well as their different backgrounds.

Wojdelski has focused in on Chicago-themed items since she started. A friend mentioned that she could probably easily make the city flag out of clay. She took up the challenge and has continued to add onto this theme over the years. Delicate shot glasses, bowls, trivets, cups and tiles have all been adorned with light blue glaze and red stars. Friends and admirers started asking for specific items, and she’s created plate sets and more unique items as well. First her work was very glossy and new looking, but she slowly added stains onto the surfaces, and came up with a rustic sensibility that appeals to many people. Her personal home has a modern, clean look to it, but she’s peppered it with frames and items that have a rough-hewn presence. She attributes her attraction to the time-worn surfaces to all the antiquing she’s had to do for her stage sets over the years.

This past year, Wojdelski has been especially inspired by LSPS-LC instructor Meg Biddle. Decal demonstrations, short lessons on Japanese inspired pottery and a variety of unusual lessons have sparked the experimental side of her. She’s started to develop vessels in different shapes, do thinking-outside-of-the-box glazing and has started to incorporate the Chicago flag into her new items. The artist is looking forward to continuing this new thread of visual ideas, as well as continuing to build up her endurance in running (which she started doing this Spring after needing a change of routine during the pandemic).

Wojdelski continues to teach at Thornton, and is finishing up her doctorate from the American College of Education. She’s carving out the last chapter of her dissertation, and will defend it in Spring. Her research topic circles around “high school teachers perceptions of classroom cellphones: basic qualitative study.” The insight she’s gained has given her a very intense view into the emotional impact students have when perceived a certain way by teachers. Her own personal experience watching smart phones make their way into the classroom over the past two decades gives her a unique view on the issue. She’s working hard to try and close the gap in understanding between instructors and students on the subject through her work. She’s inspired by her students and their ability to enhance their education through technology, and continues to be open minded and grow with them, as well as in her ceramic studies.