In the Studio with Cami Ascher
Cami Ascher is CAC’s resident ceramics artist. Normally, you’d find her in our ceramics studio, teaching classes or working in her own resident studio onsite. Cami works primarily in functional pottery, striving to “create aesthetically satisfying and well-designed utilitarian wares.” Cami shared with us a bit about her background and how she continues to create a career as a working artist:
On discovering ceramics
When I was in 1st and 2nd grade I took drop in clay classes at an art center similar to CAC. We made handbuilt animals, slab and coil pots, and masks. I remember seeing an adult potter there glazing his cups with this beautiful crackle glaze. He showed me how he glazed his pots and I was amazed. I ended up asking my teacher when we were allowed to work on the wheel and the policy at this center was that you had to be at least 11 years old to use the wheel. So 7 year old me was very disappointed. But that still stuck in my mind and it turns out I am now making a lot of pots.
On shifting focus
In college, I was studying to be a high school general art teacher with a degree in general art education. While taking courses in different media I found that I was concentrating more on my ceramics classes, especially when I took wheel throwing. After my BFA in Art Ed, I stayed for an extra year to do a Certificate in Ceramics and stuck with it ever since.
On teaching and community
My favorite part of teaching at CAC and Clayworks is the people. I've met so many students, artists, and friends through clay and these art centers, it's a welcoming community. I love it when something clicks for a student, or they accomplish a goal they were working towards. Pots will often crack, break or just not work out, but learning from those mistakes, to see that growth and working through it is always wonderful.
On finding inspiration
When I feel like I need inspiration I like to change my environment, I go far a walk or check out a gallery or different part of the city. I also like to look at historical pots when I’m looking for ideas. The lift and soft curves of the forms that I use are influenced by historical Iranian and Asian pottery as well as contemporary ceramics. These historical pots have rise and grace but are bold and sturdy. Integrating those seemingly disparate elements is a primary goal in my work.
Advice for new artists
Just keep making and creating, research helps, but practice is what builds your skills and helps you push through and develop ideas.
To see more of Cami’s work, visit her website or follow her on IG.