| sparking a fire within | clayworks ceramics studio
This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Thanks to the generous support of the North Carolina Arts Council through their Spark the Arts grant, our dream of reinvigorating a vibrant Clayworks ceramics program is becoming a reality. We cannot express our gratitude enough for the tremendous support we have received on this journey.
| journey of self-discovery |
"When I first started using clay as a means of expression, it happened by accident; I was 19 years old pursuing a degree in art with a focus on drawing and painting, and ceramics was one of the last mediums I was interested in," says Jacey Gorman, one of the passionate instructors developing the curriculum for Clayworks. Her personal journey with clay highlights the transformative power that art can have on an individual's life. “I was taking an independent study course in painting when a clunky, dust coated machine in the back corner of the studio caught my eye. Unbeknownst to me, it was an outdated Brent pottery wheel that still had a lot of life despite its worn appearance, and I simply had to know how this contraption worked. After seeing it in action, I was immediately hooked by its muddy magic. It was then that I knew I was going to become a potter.”
| image | Clayworks instructor Jacey Gorman | image credit | Sydney Sieviec
Jacey's enthusiasm for ceramics led her to become a potter and an inspiring educator. Over the years, she has hosted ceramics workshops and events at various educational levels, sharing her passion with others. “As a potter, my work is primarily wheel thrown and utilitarian. I create fluid, dynamic forms that are also quirky and unique. The ultimate purpose my work serves is to create meaning and connection in others’ daily lives through its use.”
Now, she is thrilled to be part of the Foothills Art Center, where she is helping to construct a ceramics program from the ground up. Her goal is to introduce her future students to the joy of "making" and witness their hearts light up as they proudly exclaim, "I made that!" This grant from the NC Arts Council will enable us to make Jacey's dream of a thriving Clayworks program come true, and we couldn't be more excited.
“Discovering life as a potter has been a constantly evolving journey that has led me to find a stronger sense of who I am through self expression, create without attachment, and cherish the creative process for its wonder. Most recently, this journey has allowed me to be part of the Foothills Art Center, helping to construct a ceramics program from the ground up, which is not only an honor, but a dream that feeds my continuous curiosity as well.”
Furthermore, Jacey will receive assistance in developing the Clayworks instruction from Jill Bellia, her previous mentor and an experienced teacher. Jill will be responsible for teaching hand building fundamentals and techniques, while Jacey will be handling the throwing instruction.
| international passion |
Marianne Luther, our esteemed Clayworks Director and President of the Foothills Arts Council board of directors, also shares a deep-rooted connection with clay that traces back to her childhood in Germany, where she first made clay marbles. With several decades of involvement in various collegiate clay programs, Marianne's expertise and passion for ceramics have been a driving force in our journey to establish Clayworks as part of the Foothills Arts Center.
| image | Clayworks director Marianne Luther | image credit | Sydney Sieviec
States Marianne: “I have also gained expertise from numerous hands-on ceramics workshops, ceramics conferences, and exhibits — some featuring my work — throughout the nation.” With a lifetime of knowledge to draw from and a fervent enthusiasm for education, Marianne seeks to impart her vast knowledge to driven students and establish a timeless clay initiative for future generations.
“[...] I am eager to pass on my cumulative knowledge to motivated students. Although challenging, it is especially inspiring to be instrumental in re-establishing the Clayworks as part of the Foothills Arts Center and in founding a clay program that will serve generations to come. Such a program will serve not only the students that are enrolled in it, but it also generates enthusiasm and inspiration among other studio artists based at the Foothills Arts Center and scattered throughout our community. The creative spirit multiplies among different disciplines. ”
We are immensely grateful to the NC Arts Council for recognizing the potential of Clayworks and supporting us through the Spark the Arts Grant. With this backing, we are looking forward to the official launch of our Clayworks program in 2024. It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to foster creativity, connection, and self-expression through the art of clay.
As we prepare for this exciting endeavor, we will keep you updated on our progress and invite you to join us in celebrating the transformative power of the arts. Together, we will continue to nurture a vibrant arts community that leaves a lasting impact on the lives of all who participate.
We are delighted to announce that this autumn, the Foothills Arts Center will be opening registration for the launch of our new Clayworks program, with classes scheduled to begin during the second week of January 2024. Please subscribe to our Footnotes newsletter for updates.
| about spark the arts |
The North Carolina Arts Council announced support for 130 nonprofit organizations through their new Spark The Arts grant category during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. In total, the Arts Council is investing $2,484,071 to support programming centered around audience re-engagement and inclusion. Grant amounts range from $3,000 to $30,000.
The arts spark vitality, healing, and fellowship. These qualities are what kept North Carolina’s arts sector resilient through the pandemic. The Spark the Arts grant category places a special emphasis on strategies to engage audiences and participants in this effort.
The Spark the Arts grant funding at the Foothills Arts Center will reactivate, expand, and deepen the quality of learning experienced by youth and adult students, with funds split evenly between four programs: ceramics, fiber arts, violin luthier, and youth art. We are so honored to be a recipient of a Spark the Arts grant!