We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sylvia Fugmann Brongo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sylvia, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I enjoy the adventure and challenges of living in the Cave Creek, Arizona, artist community. I continue to explore the natural wonders of my environment to further inspire my artistic creativity. Learning the craft is ongoing. I was first introduced to clay in grade school. I took a semester in high school and throughout college. I have long since learned that its a lifelong learning process. I truly think that few become masters in their craft, as that means that there is nothing more to learn. One may have mastered a single element, but continual refinement is ongoing. Pushing the boundaries is what I enjoy.

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 create vases, bowls, and wall pieces in mid range stoneware clay. I hand build, using rolled out clay slabs, draped and applied over a variety of shapes. I also build up additional sections on top of forms that have been bisqued fired. Each piece is hand sanded before it’s fired, leaving the surface with a smooth cloth like finish. Many admirers also think that my work is glass that has been etched. By using an airbrush, several layers of colors are applied, and at this final stage, these works come to fruition. Throughout my 35 years as a ceramic artist, I have travelled to many retail events. Over 500 in NY, PA, IL, MA, OH, FL. I also attended trade shows taking orders from galleries. Over the last several years, I have built a following of patrons who come to the Hidden in the Hills studio event. I can stay in my studio, to showcase my work, during this annual sales event. It has allowed me to get off-the-road, and stay in Arizona. I have many collectors who visit yearly, so its always nice to see familiar faces, that provide support.

“I have been an artist all of my life”. “I remember painting pine cones on our kitchen table when I was 5 or 6 years old.” It evolved from there.” “I’ve been creating and selling my ceramic vessels since 1983.”
I lived in upstate New York in Ontario, near Rochester. I built my home with my father, a retired builder, on 32 beautiful acres, surrounded by trees, and fields. It was a peaceful environment. I moved to Cave Creek, Arizona in 2004.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I like the creativity of being the the studio, working out new ideas. And its especially rewarding when a collector finds a piece that resonates with them as well. I enjoy exploring new techniques that keep me interested. As a result, I have become diverse and eclectic dabbling in table pieces, as well as wall art in mixed media.

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

Yes, my pivot came in 2009. I moved to Arizona in late 2006. The economy crashed, and I sustained an injury that was life changing. I need to regroup, so I went back to college, and finished a certificate, allowing me to network into a new job at a local college. I thought I would just stay for a while, but I stayed for almost 8 years. In that time, I was still allowed to be creative by planning events, overseeing a scholarship program, and presentations. I always questioned if I could do work like this, and as it turns out, I did quite well. Eventually it was time for me to return to my work as an artist, but the shift taught me that skills are transferrable, and my ethic being self employed was a huge plus.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sylvia-art.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sylvia.brongo

Image Credits
Sylvia Fugmann Brongo