Charles Dean
Detroit native Charles Dean earned his BFA in sculpture from Georgetown College, KY, and joined General Motors Design as a sculptor, helping develop future car models in clay. Later, as manager of the Saturn Design Studio, he pioneered “The Saturn Process,” integrating engineering and styling through real-time CAD/CAM data.Later he focused on direct carving in stone and wood, exhibiting his work in Detroit galleries. He also cultivated a passion for landscape photography, showcasing images of the Driftless Region in galleries across Galena, IL, St. Paul, and Detroit.
After leaving GM Design, Charles transitioned into clay sculpture, applying his automotive modeling expertise at The Northern Clay Center and Pewabic Pottery. His work features Dada-esque “dripping” sculptures, larger female forms, and paleo-inspired “Talons and Tusks.” Now in Saint Pete, he continues to explore new artistic directions.
“I wanted to somehow use my photographic images in a sculptural manner, and at the Morean Clay Center I had the chance to learn how it could be done: a Mural Class taught by Elle Leonard! She taught me how to translate my photographic images into bas-relief sculpture.”
Charles Dean joined Architectural Ceramics in 2019. He shares a studio with Elle Leonard Dean and together they collaborate and execute large murals and tile.
