Laura Williams
(they/she) is a UK born, US based ceramic artist whose practice explores material, narrative, human touch, colour and play. Laura studied ceramics at the University of Wisconsin - Madison and has worked as a ceramics artist and educator for the last decade. They’ve taught at several art centers nationally including; Lillstreet Art Center, Adamah Art Studios, Made Chicago, The Digs Chicago. Laura co-founded the Chicago Ceramics Crawl after teaching at many of Chicago’s community art centers. The tour aims to connect and celebrate the city’s clay community.
“When working in clay I aim to create bright and playful wares that are a conversation between the clay, color, and form. I’m interested in the way clay records our every choice; throw lines, finger prints, brush strokes, even sometimes our moods. I’m interested in the way colours and patterns play upon different clay bodies and aim to create a dynamic and playful surface that compliments the personality of the clay on which it’s painted. My patterns and illustrations respond to life. I draw what I know and experience.”
I approach making images and comics in a similar fashion. the properties of the material used to create the image guide the making. I love pencil lines, watercolour pools, ink spills and the crisp finishes of digital drawings. my illustrations respond to my life. I draw what i experience.
I love turning stories into objects that can be used and loved. drawings often end up being turned into stickers, on pots, or made into bite sized sculptures. I like to make work for my community. I deeply appreciate that my neighbors own and collect my art.
In my classes I aim to create a fun and relaxing environment to experiment and explore. We make together, complete exercises, demonstrate building techniques and discuss the science behind our material.The majority of my career has been spent making and teaching in community art centers. I love making alongside those who take my classes. I’ve learned a great deal from being an educator and am grateful to all the people who have taken classes with me and the centers that have housed and supported me over the years.
