We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emily Chamberlain a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Emily, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Ceramics has been a profound journey for me, one that began with the spark ignited by passionate teachers and has since evolved into a lifelong pursuit of creativity and discovery. The allure of the ceramics room in high school set the course for my future endeavors, guiding my decisions about education and ultimately leading me to where I am today in Wichita, KS.

The depth and breadth of ceramics as a medium can be overwhelming, but it’s also what makes it so endlessly fascinating. Education, both formal and experiential, has undoubtedly played a significant role in honing my skills and expanding my understanding of the medium. I have also had a willingness to constantly push boundaries and venture outside of my comfort zone in order to grow as an artist.

One of the biggest obstacles I find is balancing a full-time job, and being a mother with pursuing my passion for ceramics. This can present challenges in terms of both time and energy. It’s a testament to my commitment and resilience that I continue to prioritize my art despite these constraints. While it may sometimes feel like progress is slower due to time constraints, every moment spent creating contributes to my artistic development in meaningful ways.

Emily, 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 am a mother, an artist and a teacher. I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, where I received my Bachelors of Science in both Art Education and Ceramic Design as a dual major from SUNY Buffalo State College in 2011. In 2014, I moved to Wichita, KS to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics at Wichita State University and graduated in 2017. Since Grad school, I have continued to stay busy creating while welcoming 2 children, Elijah and Elleanna into the world, participating in shows and festivals and being a High School Ceramics teacher.

I create both functional and sculptural work infused with vibrant energy, aiming to captivate viewers. Balancing an overstimulated yet focused surface, I explore form, function, whimsy, and playfulness. Each piece becomes an opportunity for discovery, as I experiment with multiple surface techniques and layering. The creative process holds immense importance—it’s where magic happens.

My art invites tactile exploration. By encouraging viewers to touch and experience, I bridge the gap between artist and audience. Guided by these principles, I create dynamic canvases that blend chaos and control, inviting others into my world of color, texture, and imagination.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist lies in the transformative power of creation, and for a me, this is represented in the process of shaping raw clay into a work of art. Even after two decades of working with clay, the thrill of witnessing its metamorphosis remains undiminished, as each piece unfolds as a unique journey of discovery and expression. From the initial shaping to the painterly surface of mark making, every step of the process is imbued with a sense of anticipation and wonder, culminating in the creation of something truly extraordinary from the simplest of materials.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

There is so much we as a society can do to support artists and creatives. We can attend exhibitions, art festivals, performances and events to help strengthen the relationships between artists and audience. We can lessen the burden of financial instability by creating funding and grants, as well as affordable and accessible spaces for artists to flourish. We can also acknowledge the value of artistic contributions through awards and exhibitions and provide fair compensation. We can simply show up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.emilychamberlainceramics.com
• Instagram: @eoneclay