We were lucky to catch up with JoAnne Berke recently and have shared our conversation below.

JoAnne, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was introduced to the arts as a young girl when my mother, noticing my interest, enrolled me in art classes at the Detroit Institute of Art. I have fond memories of Saturday mornings, taking art classes and roaming the halls and galleries of the museum. Each weekend, I would visit what felt like old friends—the works of Diego Rivera, Louise Nevelson, and Henry Moore. Though I had never met an artist besides my teachers, I was deeply inspired by the amazing artwork I encountered weekly at the DIA. From that moment on, I found solace and pleasure in creating art.

I received my BFA at Wayne State University in Detroit MI, where a vibrant art department and arts community strengthened my commitment to pursuing the arts. Though I had no clear career path in mind, I was determined to follow my passion—despite my mother’s concerns. As a single parent of three girls, she hoped I would become speech therapist and worried about my future. But having come of age in the rebellious late ’60s and ’70s, I followed my heart. The decision proved worthwhile, leading to several fulfilling careers in the arts.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Throughout my artistic career, I’ve worked across diverse mediums. My BFA focused on weaving, ceramics, and jewelry, while my MFA specialized in textiles. I’ve never been one to limit myself to one medium, I create both two and three-dimensional pieces that are guided by my concept. My focus for this article is my label Geologie Design. I craft jewelry that features an eclectic blend of raw materials—drawing inspiration from gems and beads worldwide, along with the free spirit of the ’60s and ’70s. Each piece tells its own story through rare and antique beads, shells, and gems, paired with hand-forged silver—embodying an ageless, rustic elegance. I don’t consider myself a jeweler, I think of myself as an artist who makes jewelry.
Our world faces critical challenges—war, hunger, and homelessness among them—and adorning ourselves might seem trivial. Yet in an era of fast fashion, there’s profound value in wearing authentic, handmade pieces crafted from nature’s materials.
I’m fortunate to call a Arcata my home. It’s a university town in Northern California surrounded by Redwood forest by the sea. My journey began in Detroit, where I spent my youth and college years. I went to graduate school and taught on the East Coast and in the South. Academia fueled my wanderlust, enabling me to work across the United States and globally—a nomadic path that perfectly suits my nature. Travel has deeply influenced my work. In the early 1970s, I experienced the warmth and hospitality of Afghanistan, Iran, and Kashmir, then peaceful havens for travelers. These experiences live on in my home and art, where my pieces celebrate and preserve vanishing cultures.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

At the age of 75, I’m delighted to no longer have a goal or mission in my artistic endeavors. The freedom is delicious! My art practice is now purely self-driven—what stories do I want to tell, what mediums do I want to explore? I had a long teaching career, teaching art to students of all ages—from the Midwest to East Coast to South and finally settled on the West Coast where I spent 24 years teaching at Cal Poly Humboldt. I’ve taught in both women’s and men’s prisons, worked as a textile designer, and built a successful exhibition record. Now, I’m thrilled to simply walk into my studio, play, and challenge myself with new ideas. While aging has few benefits, for many of us, the gift of time is precious.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being an artist isn’t just a job—it’s a point of view, a lifestyle, a lens through which you see the world. It’s a community with its own language and history that enriches communication and aesthetics. I can’t imagine traveling in this world without seeing it through an artistic lens. This lens influences everything I do, from gardening to cooking to how I choose to spend my day. There is always a challenge to meet, a story to tell, new tools and techniques to discover. I feel very fortunate to be a maker and have the time to self-reflect and to be in what Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi calls “the creative flow”—the zone where time disappears.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://joanneberke.com
• Instagram: joanneberke & geologie_jewels