Monique Rutherford pursues her work only with the desire to explore the beauty that comes of it. She received her degree from Wayne State University and studied pottery at Solano Community College. Currently, she is based out of Benicia, California. In 2021, Rutherford founded the program Afterschool Play in Clay, an organization created to increase the access of art and clay for children regardless of socioeconomic status. This work has been a driving force for her and has only deepened her passion and connection to ceramics and the arts.