Connie Christensen of Lapoint loves to create both functional and sculptural ceramics. Her 25-year passion recently won her the highest award given in the professional division by the Ceramic Guild of Utah – the Peggy Award – for a ceramic bust of a Native American.

“When they had the Neola fire, that’s when I started doing this Indian,” Christensen, 72, said about her prize-winning statue. “I thought they’d be doing some sort of fundraiser, and I could donate it, but I didn’t have it done by the time they did that. So I just put it away.”

It wasn’t until Christensen went to visit Jackie’s Ceramics – the studio where she was taught – in Salt Lake City that she got the idea to enter the contest.

“Jackie said, we still need entries for the show,” Christensen said. “I said, ‘I’m not going to be here. I’m going to be in Alaska.’ They said, ‘Well, haven’t you got something to enter?’ So, I sent the Indian out with my daughter.”

It had been years since Christensen had entered a contest, and even though she’d won ribbons and trophies before, she was shocked to hear the news of the Peggy win.

“I was very surprised to learn of this honor,” she said. “The first year I competed when I first started ceramics I won the Freddy Award which is the top award for amateurs. I had won everything but the Peggy Award and this is the top award in ceramics.”

The Peggy Award is presented to the best in show-professional division only. Up to three Freddy awards can be awarded in a show, but they do not have to be given. Both the Peggy and Freddy are the most prestigious awards that can be earned from the Ceramic Guild of Utah.

Christensen used pastel chalks to create the winning piece. It took her over a month to create it, working four to five hours a day, four to five days a week.

“The pastel chalk only has to be fired once,” she said. “You clean it and fire it. Then you put a base coat completely on it, and then you antique it. Then you start building your chalk on it.”

Ceramics isn’t just about glazing and painting, it’s an art form and Christensen specializes in Indian art. She spends countless hours carving patterns, and applying layers of chalk. She pays attention to the intricate details of the feather headdresses to the beads on their moccasins. She’s fired pieces five times just to layer in gold, silver and jewels.

Christensen – who taught ceramics to seniors for years – no longer teaches or judges. “I’ll probably be there to help with the show next year,” she said. “I don’t plan on competing anymore. I expect to only being doing stuff for gifts, fundraisers and my family.”

Christensen will enter her winning piece at the upcoming Utah State Fair competition. When the contest is over, she’ll keep it in her collection.