Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to John Roberts. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

John, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Has Covid resulted in any major changes to your business model?

With Covid making such a drastic change to our schedule, and limitations of offering studio space and equipment, we were able to stay focused to our mission: To provide the Atlanta community with premier, accessible arts education, especially to the underserved, while promoting enjoyment of the arts at the historic and inspiring Callanwolde estate.

Virtual Classes were a challenge, but we worked around the obstacles of receiving work to fire, offering outdoor glaze access, and getting work back to students. We received an outpour of thanks, and we continued to take the necessary steps to allow onsite classes to progress to our regular enrollment numbers.

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’ve been a ceramic artist since 1999, taking my first class in my third year of college. I was an undecided major at that point, but I new I continued to stay within the arts. After a few semesters of clay work, I was hooked, and switched my major to ceramics, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Georgia State University.

Highlights of my job career include working as the Project Coordinator for Chastain Art Center’s clay program, as a Visiting Lecturer at Georgia State University, and currently as the Ceramics Program Director at Callanwolde Arts Center. My focus is to give quality classes to beginning and intermediate students, and to provide and maintain our studio with the multiple firing and glazing options, unique to the Callanwolde Ceramics Program.

As a professional artist, I am responsible to continue my training and artistic development. The best way to do that is through showing my work in a variety of exhibitions. Some of my recent shows that I am most proud of being a part of are the Perspectives Georgia Invitational, the Strictly Functional National Juried Exhibition, and the Ceramix Invitational. My hope is to be a good role model for my students, and motivate them to be confident with their skills and guide them to be the best they can be through art.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to do what I love, and balance that passion to sustain a career.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

During the first few months of the Covid Lock Down, I was able to spend a lot of time alone in my studio. I really don’t know how to explain the experience. I started making some really dynamic work, painting abstract shapes and patterns on my big pots. My marks flowed with my forms. It was amazing. I felt perfection, and a connection to something bigger, beyond my comprehension.

When the world started getting back to normal, my attention turned back to work and teaching. My new art work sat on a table, unfinished, and waiting. For months, I would look at these pots just sitting there in my studio. Then I would walk out wondering if it was fear, laziness, my depression, or something else that kept me from finishing them.

I’m finally back in the studio making functional, wheel thrown work again. Those big pots are still on that same table. I’ve come to the conclusion that some work doesn’t need to be finished. In fact, it’s better to tuck it away. Sometimes, those opportunities of intense creativity are just for that particular time of making it, and not meant to go out into the world, but just meant for the artist. If anything, this was a reminder to keep moving on, and enjoy each moment as it passes by.

Contact Info:

• Website: johnrobertsceramics.com
• Instagram: @johnrobertsceramics
• Facebook: facebook.com/johnrobertsceramics/

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