NCECA: Casey's Story

Myself, Valerie Zimany (our fearless leader) and David

Le Mesa, Functional ware exhibition

Slide from the Business in Art lecture

This week we all headed to Portland, Oregon to attend NCECA!! I was so excited to get there because I was really hoping for some senior studio inspiration. I am really enjoying the direction my work is heading so I really wanted to take this opportunity to find other artists who work the same way as I do and see how it has worked for them.

While we were there, I attended lectures, represented Clemson and CSArt at our booth and got to learn more about future opportunities for myself in the ceramics world.

First, the lectures I attended were outstanding. I originally wanted to attend around 10 lectures but some overlapped and I needed to give others a chance to attend lectures as well. I ended up going to a lecture on art and business, put on by the creators of the CSArt program we follow at Clemson. It was very interesting to learn just how much CSArt is preparing me for my future. This whole seminar talked about the marketing management skills I will need for the future and I am fortunate enough to already be developing them through CSArt. I also attended a lecture on art and psychology, and how they integrate with each other. As well as one about art and the environment and how artists are able to partner with their communities. In these lectures I really learned how to push my art degree and use it in other worlds. I love that I am able to use what I have learned getting my BFA and use it to improve the world around me.

I was also very excited to speak with residencies and schools who offer programs I can utilize after graduation. I was so looking forward to speaking with the Potters for Peace representatives. Potters for Peace is a non-profit group who creates ceramic water filters for third world countries. They also strive to preserve the artistic culture and heritage of these countries and teach it to other potters around the world. I love the idea of combining my passion for ceramics with my passion for making the world a better place.

I never though I would go into a residency after school, but now I am enthralled with the idea. I learn about a ceramic residency in Rome that is very exciting as well as one at Cup Creek in Virginia. I never realized how great of a stepping stone a residency can be, so now my goal is to research them and try to find the best fit for me.

NCECA was an amazing experience and I feel even more inspired than ever! I feel like I have too many ideas now and I can't settle on which one I want to do first. I am very fortunate to have been able to attend this conference and am very grateful to Clemson CI for making it possible!