Elizabeth Nields learned to work with clay apprentice-style at Baldwin Pottery in N.Y.C. She also studiedceramics at Danske Selskab, summer 1968, Greenwich House Pottery, 1966-67, Penland School of Crafts, summer 1966, and Brookfield Craft Center, summer 1966, 67. She studied drawing, painting and sculpture at New School for Social Research, 1965-66, Columbia University, 1965-66, Boston Museum School, 1964, and Adelphi University, summer 1959,60. She has a B.A. cum laude from Radcliffe College. 1962,

Elizabeth Nields has been conducting Summer Clay Workshops at her studio in Otego, New York since 1974, winter classes since 1985, and workshops through Arts in Education Program, Fenner Studio Art School and Smithy-PioneerGallery. She was an Assistant Professor at Hofstra University, where she taught glaze formulation, Japanese ceramics ,ceramic sculpture, wheel and handbuilding as well as various advanced classes and workshops from 1970-1984. She has taught intensive workshops at Baldwin Pottery, Adelphi University, Montclair State College, and Hartwick College. She was Visiting Artist in Ceramics at the State University College at Oneonta. and is currently Artist-in-Residence:Ceramics at Hartwick College, spring 2008.