2/7/2024 1 Comment ConnectionWe hope to make this a regular occurrence. We will update you about workshops, class registration, and other things we think might be of interest to our community. Please feel free to share this with anyone who might enjoy it or be interested in what we are up to.
This inaugural edition is a little about me, Jane, and the driving force behind this endeavor. I knew forever that I wanted to be an artist. Both of my parents were artists, and we had an art closet full of fancy, magical colored paper, Magic Markers that smelled a certain way, kneaded erasers that stood in as silly putty for me, and all kinds of tools in a room that doubled as a den and a studio. It was my favorite place when I was young and looking for something to do. Of course, I was going to be an artist! I played the part throughout school, never quite fitting the mold of my fellow female classmates; always thinking a bit further, questioning why, and refusing to completely comply. So I thought art school would be the place for me. As it turned out, I didn't belong there either. Not "intellectual" enough. Not "rebellious" enough. Too "mainstream". I still wouldn't comply and they did not like it one bit. So I eventually walked away. I couldn't take the "art world" and all of the BS about who and what I was supposed to be and want and deliver. So I turned to the healing arts. Massage Therapy, Yoga, and Reiki. I found a community of like-minded people; people devoted to acceptance of each other and themselves, and a recognition of how difficult that is with all our cultural conditioning. We are all one, but we can't agree, and we can't get along, and we can't love each other, and we certainly can't love ourselves. I transformed and grew and finally allowed myself to please myself FIRST. And to trust that from there, what I needed, what I desired my life to be, would reveal itself. And what was revealed was that something was missing. ART. I needed to BE an artist. I had been doing ceramics for almost 20 years, but considering myself an artist was still not something I felt comfortable with. So I used all my healing arts tools to dig a little deeper, to uncover what was holding me back. What was still missing? Connection. Community. Belonging. Building and supporting a creative community is one of my greatest visions for Squatter Potters. Not only do I want our students to learn techniques and improve their skills, I also deeply desire to build a community of support, encouragement, allowance, acceptance, and belonging. A place where we, in the making of art, make ourselves whole, loved, and complete. At least for the time that you are in our space. Whether you consider yourself an "artist" or not is not important, or the point. For me, this is about human connection and what we are missing in society so profoundly. Lofty goals for a ceramic studio? I suppose, and I know in my soul that it doesn't matter. It also doesn't matter if this all sounds a little too "woo-woo" for you. You will still learn how to make a pot. Or a bowl. Or a sculpture. And, you might inadvertently also make a connection. With someone else, or with a part of yourself you have long forgotten. Finally, please let me know your thoughts, if you'd like to hear more (or less), and if there are any specific things we can address, teach, or include in the offerings at Squatter Potters. We are so glad you are part of our community. Much love, Jane PS: I do want your feedback; About this email, or anything on your mind about the studio. Hit REPLY to let me know what's on your mind.
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2/4/2025 09:56:42 pm
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