We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cynthia Harrell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Cynthia, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
The Seagroves Pottery Festival is the biggest in the state of North Carolina, and I was asked to participate after only one year behind the pottery wheel. I would be showing my “new on the pottery scene” pots alongside some of the biggest names in North Carolina pottery! I was excited, to be asked but felt,” This could go very well or be an awfully disappointing experience. Should I decline the invite or go for it? I decided to accept. I even donated a large platter for the Annual Seagroves Pottery Charity Auction!
Setting up my pottery display (small in comparison to my cohorts), I decided they were all beautiful!
Each expressed a bit of my gratefulness and enthusiasm, and all signed, ” God Within Us”. I was asked several times why I named my pottery studio, “Enthusiasm Pottery”. (Enthus – God , siasm -within). All weekend, I was given repeated opportunities to share my faith and my excitement for the opportunity to work with clay. My pots were a hit! They sold extremely well! I left wishing I had brought the ones I had eliminated from the lineup because I didn’t think they were up to par. Now when I show my pots, I see it as sharing my creative story, and I do not eliminate the wonky parts!
Cynthia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I was born in southeastern North Carolina, in the little family town of Lilesville. The mud there is amazingly red! I and my cousins made our share of mud pies, but I lingered long in the mud. My imagination revealed delightful creatures and some functional structures like tea pots. In school, my classmates loved my enthusiasm during group collaboration for claymation or dioramas. I was told that art was a hobby, so I continued to paint but I studied physical therapy at UNC-Chapel Hill, NC. I loved the opportunity to work closely with my fellow therapist and with our patients for over 44 years before retiring from Duke University Health Systems. A fond memory is working as a school-based therapist and having the opportunity to assist visiting artists, with the “Cultural Arts in Public and Private Schools (CAPPS)” program, to effectively deliver their programming in a way that allows all students (even those with physical impairments) to participate and enjoy. I think I enjoyed these sessions more than the artist or the students!
After I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my husband, who knew my love of pottery, introduced me to a professional potter. What a healing energy boost! This wonderful potter said to me,” I will give you a better introduction to the world of clay than you will ever get from taking a class.” And that is exactly what he did. I thank God for my full recovery and I know that creative healing energy was a contributing factor. I eventually set up a pottery studio, and teaching fellow breast cancer survivors evolved into regular teaching sessions, and to teaching in schools through the CAPPS program. I am now the artist! I completed a post baccalaureate Teaching Artist Certification at North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC. and now teach regularly in the community and in schools.
Currently I create and teach using paint, polymer clay and ceramics as a channel to communicate my enthusiasm for life. Providing making workshops in ceramics and jewelry is an opportunity to inspire others to be creative. It also aligns my passion and my desire to support the success of important community organizations like the Helping Hand Clinic, Inc. hhcsanford.com (an organization which provides free medical and dental care for the uninsured.)
Enthusiasm Pottery also provides workshops and profit-sharing opportunities for non-profit and corporate events, schools, etc., I sell my work and offer opportunities for workshops or collaborations on my shopify store:
enthusiasmpotteryjewelry.com
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I would like to share my personal understanding of art and artistic endeavor as being an expression of God within us, and intrinsic to our human experience.
In bullet form;
*Art emerges when anything is done with passion! Do what you love.
*Cherish your feelings and emotions, true art stems from genuine self -expression.
*Take the time to be inspired by your life, nature, other artists, & works of art. Take that inspiration and fuse it with your authentic self-expression.
*It’s your unique perspective that looks so artistic to others! Be bold and courageous!
* It’s a misnomer that art is created in full view of the world. You will likely discover your artistic self in moments of aloneness and self-discovery. Embrace these times, be at peace with them.
We are all artistic but one who is willing to be an expressive artist often walks a path of courage and at times solitude. Forge your own path!
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
The Book, The Artist Way” by Julia Cameron
This is book I would recommend. It takes you on a journey to help bring insight and show you avenues available for moving forward with your artistic journey. Excellent for those who think they are stuck or need to know that they are indeed creative beings.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://enthusiasmpotteryjewelry.com
- Instagram: enthusiasmpottery@gmail.com
- Facebook: enthusiasmpottery@gmail.com
- Linkedin: enthusiasmpottery@gmail.com
- Twitter: enthusiasmpottery@gmail.com
- Youtube: enthusiasmpottery@gmail.com
- Yelp: enthusiasmpottery@gmail.com
- Soundcloud: enthusiasmpottery@gmail.com
