We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mary Lamson-Burke. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mary below.

Mary , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

My journey into being a ceramic artist started when I was in 6th grade. There was a woman in the neighborhood where I grew up that had a slip cast ceramics studio. She offered classes out of her garage studio and I would every week ride my bike down there and sit with a bunch of middle aged women chain smoking and talking about their lives….I learned a lot more than just ceramics! This beginning turned into more formal study of handbuilding and wheel throwing in high school and college. This culminated into a BFA in ceramics from Grand Valley State University. Looking back, I am so grateful for the formal art education that I received. Critical thinking, high craftsmanship and intention behind what I was making were essential skills that were honed in my early years that I still utilize today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a West Michigan artist and educator who’s been obsessed with the idea of relationships for as long as I can remember. When I say ‘relationships,’ I don’t just mean between people—I’m talking about how we connect with nature and how different art forms talk to each other. I use my work to process all those big thoughts.

I’ve been at this for over 20 years. I started with a BFA in Ceramics at Grand Valley State and eventually picked up an MEd from Aquinas. Since then, I’ve worn a lot of hats: resident artist, lecturer, and teacher for students of all ages.

My work reflects my interests in connections and relationships. Whether this is teaching high school students or it is in my ceramics studio. I have a website, show my works in galleries and invitationals and art festivals. I truly want to make my work accessible to people to add joy through objects to their lives.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The biggest pivot in my career started to happen around 2017. My career as a ceramic artist was starting to fade out of existence. Almost to the point where I asked myself “Am I even an artist anymore?” I really didn’t have any creative practice. This was the fact mostly from my journey into becoming a public school art teacher. Teaching can suck all of your energy and passions if healthy balance is not established. This happened to me. My art practice was becoming non existent. I made a decision that I was not going to continue this way and made a very intentional decision to reclaim myself as an artist. Between that moment and now I have grown a healthy art practice, am known as a ceramic artist and still love my teaching practice.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish that I would have had the mindset that everyone is a resource! I struggled with imposter syndrome (and still have bouts from time to time) early in my career. I was intimidated by other artists that had more figured out or had a more robust practice than I did. I want to now go back to my young artist self and tell her to make that phone call, ask that question, introduce yourself! I feel I missed out on knowledge and resources that could have been of great value to me as I developed and grew.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marylamsonburke.com
• Instagram: @lamsonburke @luckyshoearts
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luckyshoearts/

Image Credits

Bianca Victoria

Detroit Artists Market

Mary Lamson-Burke