Jay Strommen received his MFA degree in ceramics from The School of the Art Institute (2000).  After his graduation he was a resident artist at The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural in Japan from 2001 - 2002 and has been a teacher at Park West Ceramics and Lillstreet Art Center. His work has been featured throughout the United States in association with wood fired ceramics.

Jay Strommen is the founder of the Chicago Ceramic Center at the Bridgeport Art Center.  He opened the center in October 2015.