Retired engineer John Lo turned a lifelong passion for art into a thriving ceramics practice, and now the self-described “world traveler” gives half of his sales from shows and fairs to nonprofits. 

John Lo's first booth at his first art fair was set up on Third Street in Geneva, right outside the Kane County Courthouse, which also happened to be the location of CASA Kane County’s office. 

Lo didn't plan it that way, but it ended up being fitting. He now donates half of his sales from his Geneva Arts Fair appearances directly to the CASA Kane County nonprofit. 

When you understand how Lo thinks about his art and his place in the community, the connection makes total sense. For him, making things and taking care of people were always two sides to the same coin.

But let’s start at the beginning.

John Lo still remembers his third-grade drawings at school in Hong Kong, before his family moved to the United States in 1966. Interested in art from a young age, he created a popsicle stick sculpture of a Chinese Junk Boat that ultimately made it to an exhibition at the Chicago Public Library downtown Chicago.

During his 36 years working at Bell Labs/Lucent, he continued to dabble in pencil and charcoal drawings, pressed flower pictures, wood carving, and copper hammering. His engineering background and natural inclination for problem-solving blended seamlessly with his passion for exploring and experimenting in artistic pursuits. 

When he retired in the summer of 2014, he knew he needed to get back into the art scene.

Upon discovering that the beginner’s glass art class at Elgin Community College was full, Lo pivoted to his second choice: Ceramics I at Waubonsee Community College. His wife Kathy had taken the course years earlier, and it proved to be a fateful decision. 

“I touched clay the very first time in August 2014,” Lo said. “I quickly fell in love. The Waubonsee Ceramics Studio has been my second home ever since.”

Driven primarily by class assignments, Lo spent the first three years learning and building on the fundamentals. He took inspiration from more established students, visiting artist workshops, and the guidance and freedom provided to him by Professor Doug Jeppesen. 

In recent years, Instagram and virtual workshops helped him evolve his work. 

“You can see in my work today glimpses of Chris Gustin, Lars Voltz, Akira Sataki, Moon Do Bang, Stuart Gair, and so many other notables of today,” Lo said.

According to Lo, Waubonsee is unique and exceptional in its atmospheric firing facilities with four wood-fire kilns, a wood-salt-fire kiln, and a soda-fire kiln. 

After his class sculpture assignments in Ceramics I, he focused on wheel throwing for three years, experimenting with small fish sculptures. Eventually, one of his pieces (Koi #6) made it to the Final Exhibition of 2023 Skyway Show at Morton College. 

Art shows and fairs opened up new opportunities as well. In March 2024, Morton College invited Lo back for a solo artist exhibition that spotlighted his Koi #5 and Koi #6 pieces. In 2025, he participated in an art show at the Kavanagh Gallery at Fine Line Creative Art Center in St. Charles and the highly rated Geneva Arts Fair. He now participates in both annually. 

When the pandemic forced a transition out of the studio and to virtual classes, Lo decided to set up a pottery wheel at home. The shift proved beneficial, freeing up time for joining and trimming and an even more productive daily routine. 

Since this addition in 2021, John has split his time equally between his home and the school studios. He plans to install an electric kiln at the home studio and to develop midrange glazes.

Today, he considers himself a competent amateur potter who enjoys exploring forms and techniques.

“I’m a world traveler, with a small number of settled home bases where I’m continuing to make and to refine several existing lines,” Lo said. 

Lo also makes functional ceramic furniture like clocks, lamps, and night lights and is considering a formal collaboration with his professional artist brother Richard, an accomplished illustrator and painter.

Lo’s wife Kathy joined CASA Kane County in 2006. A CASA — short for Court Appointed Special Advocate and Guardian Ad Litem — is a specially trained volunteer who becomes the voice of a child in abuse and neglect cases.

After seeing the organization’s work up close, John joined in 2016.

“My experience being a CASA helped to keep me grounded,” Lo said. “My contacts with children and parents in crisis are a constant reminder that there are others around us who are struggling, and how my time and presence can make some difference.”

Inspired by a woodworker who built beautiful bird houses and gave half of the sales to charity, Lo now gives 50% of his art show proceeds to nonprofits. 

“That stayed with me,” Lo said.  

Since 2016, primarily from end of semester school sales, Lo has divided that 50% among three groups: NAMI KDK (the local branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness), Doctors Without Borders, and Save the Children. 

He also donates his pots to local charity galas’ silent auctions. And of course, when he participates in the Geneva Arts Fair, he gives that half of sales solely to CASA Kane County, a tradition he plans to continue. 

Lo claims his “little giving back” is actually a selfish act. 

“We have neighbors near and far who need help. Giving what I can while finding joy in making ceramics is a good deal,” he said. “It helps to give Old Man Potter peace.” 

The world could certainly use more generous souls like John Lo.

This piece was written by Ellen Jo Ljung, a longtime Geneva resident, author, award-winning educator, and glass artist. Visit her website to learn more.

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