THE COFFEE & CLAY SESSIONS
creativity, conversation & critiques
(but supportive and encouraging critiques, not like jerky art school ones!)
Meet Julia
I am a Georgia native with a Bachelor or Fine arts in Ceramics. My ceramic work is defined by figurative, feelings, and personality. I have always been inspired by clay, even at a very young age. I spent my time making small horse family sculptures out of a product called sculpy. As I got older I could not deny my interest in clay and decided to study it at Georgia State University.
Making art is a spiritual process for me where I must balance mind, body and spirit. My work comes from my subconscious, escaping, creating questions and answers in my life. Evolution in working with clay is in the moment. I learn something about the clay and myself with each piece that I create. Clay not only gives me a sense of purpose but I also feel connected with the Earth when using it. As I move forward in my life, my hope is to always be inspired and feel free to express what is before me.
It’s important to have a community of peers to grow with as an artist. Even though we mostly work isolated from each other, we need to constantly engage with others, and especially other artists to validate our thoughts and our direction. Inspiration and possibility comes from sharing time with like-minded people.
You can find my work on Instagram @jayburnz
Meet Stephanie
Somewhere in the middle of my career as a Creative Director in publishing, I discovered the beauty of ceramics. I signed up for a handbuilding class at an art center (in the north Atlanta burbs) and it was love at first touch! A few years later I discovered Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta. Known for it's wonderful pottery department, Callanwolde offered different firing processes and the opportunity to work with other clay bodies I had not yet experienced. It was there that I grabbed my first handful of porcelain and never looked back.
Eventually, I left behind my 9-to-5 job to work for myself and devote more time to developing my own ceramic style. I’ve spent the past few years enrolled in various programs studying the creative process and the business of art. I’ve also been lucky to be a part of several small group “masterminds” for creative entrepreneurs who come together to help each other reach our goals. It was through these groups + continuing studies that I realized a few things were missing from my ceramics practice and technique-focused classes: things like accountability and a dedicated group of fellow clay friends working towards similar goals in their art-life-career. Without those, I felt kind of alone and overwhelmed trying to pursue art more "seriously"—everything is more difficult when you’re flying solo. But the more I talked to other ceramics enthusiasts, the more I realized I wasn’t the only one who felt this way. Hence, the birth of Coffee & Clay!
You can see some of my work on my occasionally updated Instagram account @rosievillage or here on my website, Rosie Village Ceramics.
Coffee & Clay is a supportive and inclusive environment for ceramic artists from all walks of life. Our goal is to provide a welcoming community experience where all participants feel safe to talk about their art and ideas without judgment. The sessions are designed to give each person a chance to be in the spotlight and talk about their work. Even though “critiques” are a part of the experience, they are not critical, negative, demeaning or insulting. They are solely meant to be a tool for encouraging growth and providing positive feedback in an inspiring and uplifting manner.