Maker of the Month #7: Gaby
Gaby came to Atelier Make as a student and has blossomed into a full-fledged potter. In the current social media driven 'copy - cat' world that now fuels many makers, Gaby has turned inward to find her own voice and style. In the fall Gaby will teach a new contemporary pottery workshop, of Mud and Mindfulness.
Gaby started at Atelier Make as a student and has since become a full-fledged potter. In today's social media-driven "copycat" world that now fuels many creators, Gaby has turned inward to find her own voice and style. In the fall, Gaby will teach a new workshop in Contemplative Pottery.
How did you come to ceramics?
I grew up with my aunt Carlota's ceramics in our home and was captured by the way art could be imbued into the functionality of everyday pieces. I loved how her colorful bowl held the fruit on the counter, and how plants thrived in her pots. I took my first throwing class at Atelier Make in the spring of 2019 and was immediately hooked by the process. In between classes, I would still see the rippling circles of clay spinning on the wheel whenever I closed my eyes. The day after the session ended, I went to visit my other aunt at a farmer's market, where upon ar riving, I discovered it happened to be their annual pottery day. This is where I met Carol, who I now lovingly call my pottery - fairy - godmother. A friendship with her bloomed, and she ended up inviting me into her home studio, where I was able to continue her emerging practice with her generous support over that summer.
Tell us about your ceramics practice, and what you enjoy making?
My practice is mostly focused on the wheel, which is the space in which I feel most grounded. I've become less and less at task to outcomes and find the throwing process in and of itself to be an important tool for processing and recentering. I've also come to truly love the technique of pinch pots which I appreciate for the different type of quiet stillness it provides, and the extended presence that becomes channeled into one vessel. I enjoy making functional works, like mugs, bowls, pitchers, and vases, because I want to create pieces that others can hold, nourish themselves with, and use to share meals. Most recently, I've had the chance to begin exploring wood firing and am enthralled by its magic. I learned this winter while interning at La Meridiana pottery school in Tuscany and have plans to continue this side of my practice this fall, at Canton Clay Works in Connecti cut. I love the hands - on, outdoors process of stoking the fire for hours, and collaborating with the flames that mark their movement onto the clay. I also appreciate the ways that the experience connects people, and how most wood firing is made possible on ly by working alongside others. It's another facet of ceramics where the emphasis is on the process and invites you to release expectations of the result.
Tell us about your time at Atelier Make?
It was a full circle moment for me to return to Atelier Make as an intern in 2021, after having had my first session there as a student. Through my internship, I got to learn from and be inspired by the women of Make at that time — Jaimie, Maya, Marie and Julie - Ann, as well as all the talented studio members. I nterning led to joining the team as a studio and production assistant, which is how I became trained in handbuilding and the care and attention it takes in crafting a ceramics collection. Since 2022, I've been teaching classes at the studio, and continue today. I've been able to meet so many wonderful September News.docx students through these sessions, and love witnessing the ways that anyone can come to clay and find their expression through it.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I share my pots and pop-up markets via Instagram: @gibgab__
