We were lucky to catch up with Mary Beck Pinkston recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mary Beck , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
– Every few years, the National Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art & Practices (NCCCIAP) hosts a student cupola contest. The contest consists of several groups of college students from all over the nation designing, building, and running these furnaces safely and successfully on their own. And whichever group does best based on several factors, wins their respective awards. – The semester before I was set to graduate a fellow classmate asked me if I would want to be a part of their student cupola contest team, I agreed along with a few others. The entire semester consisted of us building this furnace with little to no guidance or knowledge of what we were doing. After many many long days and nights in the studio, we finished. Once the furnace was completed, and prior to the competition we had to have several practice pours. We ran the furnace several times with a skeleton crew that semester.
– Pouring iron is no joke and this was all during COVID. Most classes were being held online, and some not at all. But our group persevered and worked hard regardless of the circumstances. I think we had one of the bigger teams because we won the Wolfpack award. It’s something I’ll never forget.
– This project was the beginning of my great respect for the iron community and the camaraderie that comes along with it. The process can be ugly and exhausting, but from the outside looking in, it can looks like a well-choreographed dance.
– There is something about pouring iron that is deeply ritualistic and primitive.
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 was born and raised just north of Atlanta. I graduated with a BFA in Sculpture just a few years ago from Kennesaw State University mainly focusing on foundry and metalwork, along with a deep admiration for clay. When I’m not working on big projects, I enjoy making functional art and drawing. – My interest in art originates around my mom and grandad. My grandad spent time in Tokyo during the Korean War performing neurosurgeries on servicemen who had been evacuated from Korea. In Tokyo he was introduced to Japanese Woodblock prints and from then on, he was an avid art collector. Most of my childhood summers were spent running around his art-filled house in Amarillo with my cousins.
– Also, my mom is a wonderful painter, her and I share many qualities and she has always been my biggest supporter. Growing up in this environment made my choice to pursue art an easy one.
– My college experience was long and non-traditional. I took my time and grew up a lot throughout the process. This ongoing transition from childhood into adulthood, figuring out who I am, seems to be where I draw a good bit of my inspiration. It’s something I think most people can relate to.
– While trying to stay on top of being creative myself, I also work as the Studio Coordinator at Kennesaw State University School of Art and Design. I am somewhat new to this position and feel like I’m settling into it quite well. I graduated with a BFA in Sculpture from KSU just a few years ago and it truly feels like home to me. I have had some wonderful mentors, and working at the school gives me the opportunity to be in an academic environment where I can help and support students achieve their goals as they did mine. I feel like I’m where I’m meant to be.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
– I always feel the best after working on a project for months and months and finally finishing. It’s truly the best feeling and makes all the good, bad and ugly worth it. Just to start all over again… That feeling is what keeps me going. – Also, the community aspect of it. All artists are out in the world with the same goals for the most part, being able to bounce ideas off of your peers and collaborate on projects in a creative setting is pretty neat.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
– I think a great place to start would be for people to shop with small, locally owned creative businesses. Instead of running to Target or the nearest department store, investigate local artisans for whatever it is that you’re looking for. When you think about it, most items in these big box stores, you can get from local artists trying to make a living crafting something just as good, and I believe better. Pottery, textiles, furniture, the list goes on.
Contact Info:
- Website: marybeckpinkston.com
- Instagram: @_smrpink