Beth Augusta Behr Menczer, a clay artist for more than 50 years, has made exquisite sculptures that incorporate uncanny realism with humor and whimsy. Some were embellished with found objects such as glass beads and hammered wire, but all are defined by the richness in color, texture, iridescence and intricate designs. She is continually evolving her fascination, appreciation, and technique with clay as an art form.

A New Englander by birth, Menczer received an Associate Science Degree, with Honors in Ceramics, from Endicott Junior College in Beverly Massachusetts, in 1969. She graduated with a Bachelors of Arts Degree from Alfred University's prestigious College of Ceramics in 1973.

Beth co-created Pentimento Studio & Gallery in Silver City, New Mexico from 1976-1982, with her friends Harry Benjamin, Eric Montoya and Polly Hughes.

In the mid-1980's, Menczer served for four years in the Artist-in-Residence program funded jointly by the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Mexico Arts Division (nmarts.org). During her tenure as a Resident she taught Navajo, Zuni, and Apache students, as well as students at the New Mexico School for the Blind in Alamagordo, New Mexico.

In 2008 Beth was selected by former U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman's office to create an ornament for President George W. Bush's Christimas tree.

She retired from teaching clay and mosaic techniques through the MRAC (Mimbres Region Arts Council) Youth Mural Program and at clay workshops during the annual Silver City Clay Festivals. She has co - curated the Neo-Mimbreno Exhibitions at both the Silver City and the Western New Mexico Museums, first in the

early 1990's and again in 2012 and 2013..

Her one-of-a-kind Art, resides in many public and private collections throughout North America, Europe and the Middle East.

Beth lives in Glenwood, New Mexico where she makes her creations. She is surrounded by her animal family on a two and a half acre oasis. www.desertexposure.com/200607/200607_gardens.html