Meet the ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE

Rachel recently completed a 3-month residency at Truro Center for the Arts, Truro, MA. Referencing her work, Rachel states, “As a maker I am invested in the materiality of clay and the objects I create. Functional pottery is tangible by nature, but I strive to attain that aspect through the surface of my pots. Using slip to create texture and dimension allows one to navigate the form beyond its visual and functional features; It archives the movement of the maker and the material. It provides a history of the piece for the viewer to learn from, and myself to build off of. I see making is a constant exploration, in both material and potential. Handmade pottery has the power to make an impression on its beholders; it continues to have a life beyond its maker. My intention as a potter is to create work that documents my ever-growing knowledge of material.”

Margaret Larson joins us from the Seagrove area of North Carolina, where she has been working as a studio potter and intern, having received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2019, from Guilford College, with an emphasis on ceramics.

Margaret states of her pottery: “My pots are how I indulge my need to create, while producing somebody’s favorite mug, dish, or jar. I explore themes of nature, play, whimsy, and movement by decorating meticulously thrown functional pots, either with imagery or non-representational compositions. I throw all my attention into my forms and decoration as a way to ground myself or escape reality. Every aspect of the ceramic process lets me process emotions and experiences, and each unique surface and pot I create feels like a little love note or journal entry – to myself or others. I can imbue all my care, love, and emotion into an individual piece, and the accessibility and daily interactivity of pottery allows me to share that with friends or strangers. My favorite moments are in the studio decorating, and making myself or others laugh with an idea…”

Margaret will first be working as a Teaching Assistant in support of our Wheel I classes and teaching workshops, and will lead her own classes in the new year.

Bianca Turner recently received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Hartford Art School of the University of Hartford. She specializes in ceramic sculpture and recently defended her thesis through at the exhibition Hands On! At the Silpe Gallery, Hartford.

Bianca says of her work: “Bianca Turner is passionate about art and color. The use of colors allows her freedom of expression. Given her background, both of her parents are immigrants from Jamaica who came to the United States for better opportunities and higher ambition. This has meant Bianca becoming an artist. Overall, the passion for art and the desire to create started at an early age, but ceramics is something she has focused on for 5 years. Bianca feels this is a great medium for expressing feelings without having to verbalize them. Having an opportunity to work in clay and being able to visually connect her vision with others is essential to Bianca. Clay allows her total freedom to create.”

Bianca will first be working as a Teaching Assistant in support of our Hand Building classes and teaching workshops, and will lead her own classes in the new year.