The Art Box - Episode 316 - Teaching Inspiration - Meet Julie Shelton

In the fifth episode of our Tuscarora Pottery School series, made possible in part by a generous grant from the Nevada Arts Council, we sit down with Julie Shelton, a dedicated art teacher from Boise, Idaho. Julie’s time at Tuscarora was both a personal creative retreat and a professional development opportunity. As she reconnected with her own artistic practice, she also explored new techniques and ideas to take back to her classroom and share with her students. It’s a heartfelt conversation about the dual role of being both artist and educator, and the power of stepping away to return renewed.

Surrounded by the quiet beauty of Nevada’s high desert, Julie found fresh energy in the studio, new approaches to clay, and a renewed sense of purpose. Our conversation touches on the power of lifelong learning, the balancing act between teaching and creating, and the magic that happens when artists step into unfamiliar spaces to grow. It’s a reflection on mentorship, exploration, and the threads that connect art, education, and community.