An Artist's Journey : Patti Warashina on Tradition, Taboo, Resistance, and Perseverance

Internationally celebrated ceramic artist and UW Professor Emerita Patti Warashina reflects on a life shaped by powerful women, cultural expectations, and a deep creative drive. Born to Japanese American parents in Spokane, Washington, Patti's journey weaves together stories of arranged marriage, wartime surveillance, unspoken love, and generational sacrifice.

In this deeply personal oral history, Patti shares how her family's quiet strength—and her own subtle acts of resistance—fueled a lifelong career in the arts. From her mother's handmade ceramics to the influence of feminist mentors, Patti speaks candidly about navigating gender, culture, and creativity in a male-dominated art world.

🎧 A portrait of resilience, humor, and the transformative power of art.