What gives those at Clay Art Center hope, besides being with friends, pets, and family is our community. Clay Art Center (CAC) is eagerly awaiting when we can reopen and become a center of fun, creativity, and community for everyone once more. Although we cannot be there physically, we are thinking of ways to connect virtually, like by posting our NCECA 2020 Gallery online and making blog posts that let you stay connected with the CAC community.

Clay Art Center artists like Julie Buyon embody our mission to promote creativity, positivity, and community. Please enjoy indoors this year’s first CAC Artist Q&A below, where we are going to learn more about CAC Artist Julie Buyon and what is currently fueling her creative journey:

How long have you been part of CAC and how has it impacted your life and work?

I came to CAC in June of 2000 for a porcelain workshop taught by the artist in resident. It was a wonderful introduction to CAC and I have been there ever since! I took classes for many years before finally making the jump to CAC Artist about 10 years ago.

CAC is my community. I treasure the friendships I have made there over the years. Everyone is so generous in every possible way. The standard of work created at CAC sets such a high bar for us all - it's very inspiring to be surrounded by so much talent and creativity.

What references do you find yourself drawn to lately?

I have been exploring new ways of glazing and firing recently, inspired by Steven Hill's beautiful work. It is very much a work in progress, but enormously promising. Another thing I love about CAC is that other artists are joining me in this journey. Robin Henschel and I have been testing lots of glazes together, comparing notes, researching glazes and firing schedules, all with tons of encouragement from other artists, students and teachers.

Any art goals and challenges for yourself?

I am becoming increasingly focused on thinking deeply about how form, glaze and firing match. More specifically, thinking about what forms best lend themselves to the glazing technique I am currently exploring. I also have the privilege of participating in a wood fire each year (although sadly cancelled this Spring), and I am trying to make forms that are not only enhanced by painting with fire and ash but also let me take advantage of not having to glaze exteriors.

How do you think engaging touch via ceramics can add to a person’s life?

I think a lot of adults have a favorite mug from which they drink, and while they may have purchased it for its aesthetics I bet they love it for the way it feels in their hand. Most of the work I do invites touch. I think the combination of the visual and the tactile helps create a special connection between the ceramic piece and the user.

Knobbed butter dish, Julie Buyon 2020. Photo Credit: Regina Farrell-Fagan

How you do imagine your pieces living in their new homes?

I really, really want them to be used and become part of someone's everyday life. No sitting on a shelf for fear of breaking!

Your favorite tool in the box? Or what is your dream tool?

That's a tough one, but I know I would feel bereft if I lost my small trimming tool, which I have had since my very first pottery class in the 1980's. I use it to trim inside the foot on a pot. I just love it. It's very delicate.

Any artists or work you admire?

Oh so many!!!! Steven Hill and Nick Joerling are big influences right now. I adore the works of Liz Zlot Summerfield, Chandra DeBuse, Lorna Meadon, Sandy Pierentozzi, Paula Shalan, Jason Bige Burnett, Martha Grover -- oh one could just go on and on!

Soy Bottle, Julie Buyon. NCECA 2020 CAC Virtual Expo. Photo Credit: Allison Burch

What activities are keeping you positive right now as the community faces uncertainty?

I was lucky enough to head for the hills (of the Berkshires) a couple of weeks ago, where we have a second home. I am working closely with the CAC Artist Committee to coordinate support for CAC during this challenging time, and, as always, I am in awe of creativity, generosity and tenacity of these folks. That certainly puts a smile on my face each day!

I have a basement studio in which to make work so am awfully lucky. I am sheltering in place with some of my very favorite people (my husband, my son and his lovely girlfriend) and surrounded by great beauty, kind neighbors and a caring community that is pulling together to help out those who are vulnerable - physically as well as economically.

I genuinely believe that this crisis creates many opportunities, and it's up to us all to make the most of those opportunities.

Below is Julie’s artist bio, from her website:

“I work in clay because I love the metamorphosis from a lump of clay to an object that will become a part of someone’s life. Clay is an exceptionally tactile medium, and my work is meant to be experienced as much by one’s sense of touch as by one’s sense of sight. All of my work is functional and meant to held – indeed, caressed – and to produce unexpected sensations from form and surface. I alter shapes, impress patterns, raise surfaces and carve designs to create a sensual experience from a purely utilitarian one.

My artistic exposure began as a child with artist siblings and three grandparents who painted – all of whom made sure a lot of time was spent at New York City’s many wonderful museums. The joy and creativity of clay expression serves as a counterbalance to my work with people with complex and life limiting illness.

I have studied under multiple teachers in studios in the New York area, including Reena Kashyap and Matt Nolen, and have taken workshops with many ceramic artists including Matt Long, Leah Leitson, Silvie Granatelli and Kristen Kieffer. My work is characterized by sensual forms and textures, highlighting the nature of the clay material itself.

I began working in clay in the 1980’s, I have exhibited in group exhibitions in New York and Massachusetts. My pieces are in many private collections throughout the U.S. ”

Please check out more of Julie’s works in our NCECA 2020 Virtual Gallery Expo. Though we cannot feel the surfaces and textures, all of the featured works are visual delights. All of the proceeds from Julie’s NCECA work will be donated to CAC in response to the CoViD-19 closure.

Clay Art Center wants to remind the community that we are here to support everyone, and that our ceramics, made with care and good intentions, are there to provide joy for you as well.