Jenny Mendes was born in Cleveland Ohio.  She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and continued her education at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina.  Years later she returned to Penland School as both resident artist for three years and instructor.  She has continued her education and exploration of the ceramic arts through participation in residencies in Paris, Macedonia, Slovenia, Turkey, Serbia, The Netherlands, Philippines and Latvia.  Currently she lives and works in Chesterland Ohio as a fulltime studio artist.