Sarah DeBaun

Born and raised in Canton, Ohio, Sarah has been an artist since childhood. She began with drawing and painting and, at the age of 13, started taking private lessons in oil painting and watercolor with professional artist Jan Murphy at Murphy’s private studio and coffee shop, T.J. Murphy’s, in Downtown Canton. Her artistic journey continued through high school, and she set her sights on earning a degree in art education.

In the fall of 2001, Sarah graduated from Kent State University with a BA in Art Education K-12. While working in various mediums, she discovered a love for pottery after taking a class with professional ceramist Kirk Mangus at Kent State’s main campus. Determined to continue working with clay, she began taking pottery classes at the Canton Museum of Art in 2005 under the guidance of Bill Shearrow. This mentorship and friendship have played a significant role in her artistic development.

A major milestone in her career came when she was accepted as an apprentice with the Canton Ceramic Artist Guild. She became a full member in September 2018 and, in 2021, was elected Guild President. She considers it an honor to be part of a group of artists who share her passion for clay and the ongoing growth of the guild.

As of fall 2021, Sarah also joined the education department at the Canton Museum of Art as an instructor, teaching ceramics classes and workshops. Her passion for art and education has now come full circle.