John Balistreri is currently a ceramic professor at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Balistreri received his BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1986 and his MFA from Kent State University in 1988. He has been in numerous solo and group exhibits throughout the United States. Balistreri's work is typically large-scale sculpture that is built using a verity of techniques, then wood or salt fired. He was selected as an "Emerging Talent" at the 1995 NCECA convention. Balistreri has had his work published in a number of publications including: "Ceramic: Art and Perception," "Ceramics Monthly," and "American Craft" He has also conducted many workshops through out the U.S.