Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Williams.
Janet, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My interest in ceramics began back in high school, so over 15 years ago. I fell in love, actually, with the process and the endless possibilities of the medium. Although I didn’t pursue an art major, I’ve never stopped learning. Over the years, I took classes and workshops here and there, but when I moved to Boston in 2015, I dove back in and became a member of Mudflat Studios. The wonderful community of makers there inspired me to keep going. I met artists who were selling their work and thought, yeah, I can do that too.
Eventually, I befriended the shop manager at MIT‘s multimedia fabrication studio, which happened to have a small pottery setup and kiln. He gave me a job as a shop monitor, where I maintained the studio and assisted students with their projects. With 24-hour access to the shop, it was a dream come true! It wasn’t long before circa/FORMA was born in late 2016.
After moving back to St. Petersburg, Florida, a friend invited me to join a weekly pottery class with her. The instructor encouraged me to continue pursuing my work. Ever-grateful for both of these folks! I soon joined a private studio called Brick Street Clay, located in the Warehouse Arts District just beyond downtown St. Pete. The studio has recently relocated to Gulfport, Florida under the name Clay Works and I still love it there.
I began selling my wares as circa/FORMA alongside local music events and at regional pop-up markets, including Indie Flea, The Winter Village, Etsy’s Black Friday Market, and The Friendly City Flea. Through that exposure, I now also sell my work at lovely shops like The Heavy in Winter Park and TORSA in Melbourne, Australia, of all places! You can also sip from my custom mugs at Union coffee bar at Armature Works in Tampa.
Looking forward to what’s on the horizon!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Not even the same road. I’ve gone through many stops and starts along the way. Let’s face it, ceramics can be an expensive undertaking — a fully equipped studio can run into the thousands of dollars, not to mention finding space and code compliance issues. One of the major hurdles has been finding a community studio where everyone can share the equipment. I’m fortunate enough to live in a city with a thriving art scene with like-minded folks who support it.
My advice to anyone beginning in the ceramics world would be to start small. Take classes and workshops. Build relationships with folks in that space. You never know what opportunity awaits! Also, put. in. the. work. The ceramics process is tedious. Hone your skills. Be patient.
Please tell us about Circa/FORMA – what should we know?
My specialty in clay at the moment is the blend of functional wares and decorative objects — mugs, bowls, plates, and planter pots and the occasional hand-rolled coil necklace. I also venture into hand-built sculptural forms that can double as a bud vase or a simple object.
While I appreciate the long history of ceramics and traditional wares, my style skews toward the contemporary end of the spectrum. My practice and brand are based around modern, abstract compositions. I find a clean, straight line most pleasing and incorporate angles, edges, and geometric motifs throughout my work.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
The ceramics process is based on tacit knowledge — you learn by doing, you learn from others. Find your people. Join a community studio, take classes. Ask questions. If you’re passionate about learning, that energy will spark connections.
Contact Info:
- Website: circaforma.com
- Email: hello@circaforma.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/circaforma
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/circaforma
Image Credit:
Joseph Siciliano
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