Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

As we reach the very beginning of 2019, I wanted to take a few minutes and think back at the past year. 2018 was a great year full of milestones and memories. But I couldn’t have done it without the help of friends, family, peers, mentors, clients, and many others. In this blog post, I want to thank everyone who helped me have such a successful year. 

Looking back at the year as a whole can be overwhelming, so I’m breaking it down to a list of  major events so that I can thank all the appropriate people. 

In March, I and several other ceramics students were able to participate in NCECA (the National Council of the Education of the Ceramic Arts) in Pittsburgh, PA. This was such an amazing experience. I got to meet ceramic artists from around the world and be completely immersed in all things clay for four days. This experience wouldn’t have been possible without my ceramics professor, Ken Baskin and the rest of the faculty at McNeese State University. 

In May, I was invited to participate in a group exhibition at Imperial Calcasieu Museum called Budding Talents. The show was for McNeese art students who had previously been interns at the museum. This was my first show in a museum setting and I learned so much valuable information for future shows. This show wouldn’t have been possible for the staff at Imperial Calcasieu, so I’d like to send a huge thank you to everyone there.

Over the summer, I was able to participate in the Welsh Farmer’s Market, which opened up doors and expanded my market and clientele. Because of the Farmer’s Market, I was able to work on several commissions and created connections with several local people. The market wouldn’t have even happened without Mrs. Ellen Abshire, so I’d like to say thank you to her and the many people who came out to support our local farmers and craftsmen. 

In July, I had the opportunity to attend Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts for a week-long workshop. It was a life-changing experience where I met and worked alongside many other talented artists. I wouldn’t have been able to attend this workshop without help from the faculty at McNeese State University, the Deb and Bill Mixon Foundation, and the faculty and staff at Arrowmont. There were lots of moving parts and lots of people who made my attending the workshop possible, so I’d like to thank each one. 

Another hugely important thing that happened over the summer was the start of my consignment deal at Mercantile 54 Trading Co. Having my work displayed and available for purchase has been so important and beneficial for growing my brand. For this amazing opportunity, I’d like to thank Ginger Osborn. 

In November came my Senior Thesis Exhibition. I, along with several other senior art students, displayed our final bodies of work produced at McNeese State University. The exhibition was beautifully displayed and the opening went very smoothly. A huge thanks goes out to the department head Lynn Reynolds, as well as the rest of the art department faculty. I’d also like to thank the Enterprise Club of Lake Charles for awarding me a Purchase Award for my ceramic pitcher. 

And of course, last but not least, I graduated in December. After four and a half years of hard work and determination, I can finally say that I am a proud college graduate. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Art (BA) on December 8, 2018. For this, there are many people to thank including all the professors, mentors, and advisors I had over the course of my college experience, the commencement committee, and of course my family and friends for supporting me. 

There are a few others that I would like to thank who do not fit into any particular categories:
•My parents, because without their unconditional love and support, I would not be the person I am today.
•My Grandmother, because she lets me use her shop as my studio rent-free. 
•The rest of my family who have all shown support and encouragement. 
•My fiancé, who encouraged me to switch my major to art in the first place. 
•My church family, who always lift me up and attend my shows. 
•My friends, who push and encourage me to step out of my comfort zone. 
•My former school peers and studio mates, who always made life in the studio enjoyable and who I got to trade ideas and suggestions with. 
•And to you, reading this post. Thank you for spending the time to celebrate the past year with me. 

I hope that this post will inspire you to take a look back at the past year and find gratitude in all things. Thank you again for reading and I hope you have a wonderful New Year!