Like a soft full moon on a cloudless night, Karen Van De Walle glows. The glow is not because of the newest shimmer or blush. The glow comes from within and warms the space surrounding her. She says each piece of clay she fashions knows what it wants to become and as the wheel spins in perfect circles it centers her being. Perhaps that centering experience is the reason this silver haired woman glows. The more likely reason is that this potter gets her glow from her faith. Karen Van De Walle is Sister Karen, and art is her mission.

Pottery was not always part of her life. As a child, she never liked to play in the dirt like the other children in her home town of South Bend. She was called to the spiritual congregation at an early age. As a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tipton, Indiana, Sister Karen taught for many years in the parochial schools of the Lafayette diocese. She began incorporating art into her lessons. Her superiors noticed good results with her students and thought art education should be introduced in the school system. The Sisters of St. Joseph sent Sister Karen to Indiana State University to study art education. The young nun took a class in clay and her aversion to dirt vanished. She then went to teach at St Mary of the Woods College. There Sister Karen realized that clay was not just a physical experience, but contained a spiritual dimension. After five years at St. Mary's, the Community bought a house on the east side of Indianapolis. People came for reflection, and working clay was offered to smooth the path. After a few years, the community sold the house.

Sister Karen was without a spot to throw, a term in pottery which means to turn or twist. Gerry Niva owned property in Broad Ripple, and she offered Sister Karen an old garage that had been vacated by a woodworker; The Potter's House was born. Eighteen years later, the former garage has changed. In the beginning the sisters fixed it up and installed a furnace. Later the garage doors were replaced with windows and the space was air conditioned. Today the building is brightly painted and stands out on the street.

While she does not keep regular hours, you can often find Sister Karen working on bowls, mugs, plates and vases. She fires and glazes on the premises in a very old kiln. Recently she has been experimenting with new high-fire glazes. Her latest works are inspired by a friend's gift brought back from Italy. The pieces range from earthy browns and ashy grays to the vibrant rusty red of a sunset. A beautiful robin's egg blue begs to be touched.

When asked about how art relates to spirituality, this Sister of St. Joseph paraphrases Plotinus. "The soul that beholds beauty becomes beautiful." She explains that each piece of pottery is infused by the soul of its creator. The beauty speaks to the person who buys it. Every time the person uses that piece, the artist is there in spirit. This feeling is not present in a mug or bowl from a typical mass retailer.

For more than 30 years, Karen Van De Walle has been on a mission. ". . . Rise up and be off to the potter's house; there I will give you my message." (Jeremiah 18:2) Let her pieces speak to you.

You can't miss the grape and teal colored studio at 6503 Carrollton, just east of the Ripple Effect salon. All proceeds go to support the little shop and the Sisters of St. Joseph. Because the sister also does community work, hours are irregular. To make sure she is in, call before visiting at 317-251-0688. Sister Karen's pottery can by viewed by appointment.

Please support The Kiln Project. Sister Karen's kiln is in very bad shape. T-shirts are being sold at the Monon Coffee shop and at The Potter's House to raise money for a new kiln. Donations may also be sent to 6503 Carrollton Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46220.