DIY Grad Program

What's The Tea? Ceramic works by artist Cassie Jones debuting 2026 January first Friday 1/2 7-9pm

What is the purpose of a creative graduate program? For me, as a multimedia artist it's about having the dedicated time to explore a skill or idea that could otherwise take years or more to fully understand. It's an attempt to immerse ones self into something in an attempt to better understand and appreciate a process and learn all aspects of it's inter-workings. While delving into the ceramic arts I had the false sense of these options: go back to school to learn something that shows no immediate hope of financial gain, or continue on with the clay arts as a hobby that I dedicate all my spare time towards but with the drive and ferver of a professor of the arts.

Which leads to step one- Utilizing the benefits already accessible. Working with a local ceramics art studio affords perks like free firings, paid shifts when participating in off site wood firings, and access to a community of people also seeking the same knowledge. Step two- Seeking out subsidy opportunities at non profits, requesting grant funding, applying to opportunities that could further my goals without relying on the funds I already dedicate towards my everyday bills and expenses. Step three- Do It. In the whirlwind that has been this last year of concentrated learning I have thoughtfully hand formed dozens of clay pots. I've used stonewares, porcelains, and colored clay. My concentration started in pinching forms, then trimming back weight to achieve a decorative foot. I played with pinching evenly both thinner and thick, to see what outcome better served me. I was instructed how to use additives and minerals to alter the surfaces of my clay bodies. I was suddenly immersed in silicas, micah powders, metal shards and crushed granite measured to precise percentages. These additives alongside glaze testing combinations allowed me to add another level of depth to my pieces while learning outcomes. As well as my ongoing class projects this year, I also achieved the following:

Soda Posium I applied for and won a scholarship to attend the second ever SodaPosium- An educational forum and celebration of soda firing. I was awarded free attendance and a stipend that covered my flight and accommodations. Aggressively Testing Ideas Through my position at Black Hound Clay Studio I was able to bisque fire all my work at no cost. I made a handful of tea bowl styled cone 6 work that helped me develop a style using mostly faceting techniques. Wallingford Art Center I participated in 3 Wood fires with Wallingford Art Center, one alongside nationally recognized artist Inayoshi Osamu. Firings were included in classes I was taking with the Art Center. Through the Financial Aid Application Form at The Community Art Center, my funds were dramatically reduced for all three class sessions. I attended weekly classes for 9 months under the instruction of Mark Tyson, who specializes in hand built wood fired tea bowls. Mark plans show and tells with tea bowls from his collection to show styles and processes. We have field trips to local potter studios and antique dealers. The art center also has a soda kiln that I have been using to experiment with colored clay- look out for those in a future show :-) On Staff at Black Hound Clay Studio Through my employer I was able to participate with a firing at Lancaster Creative Factory. They have a two chamber anagama wood chamber that moves into a catenary arch chamber where soda is added. I have been able to participate in many firings in the noborigama kiln at Chester Springs which has both a wood and salt chamber. Still Upcoming This January Clay Con West awarded me fully paid attendance along with a stipend to cover costs for my flight and accommodations. I am signed up for a course in wheel throwing that is cost subsidized through the Wallingford Art Center's financial aid assistance. This March I am attending NCECA as a volunteer to offset the convention tickets I invite you to join me in celebrating completing a year long study in wood fired ceramics. On view at The Craft Coven UNDERGROUND studio in Old City, this collection has been a labor of learning for me, and I look forward to the unveiling of my newest work Friday, January 2nd from 7-9pm