Angela Auriti shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Angela, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Something that has been making me feel proud lately are my students. I work with the same group of adults for three hours every week and I have seen them persevere and grow in such amazing ways. Being able to see my students make something or achieve something they could not before is so fulfilling, and every class we have I become more and more proud of them!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I currently teach pottery in the form of 8-week courses at a brand new studio in Metuchen, New Jersey, called Lore Ceramics. In addition to teaching I work as a studio tech working to maintain the studio, load and unload kilns, reclaim clay, and help to keep the studio safe and clean. Our studio is such a great small community we have built in the 6 months we have been open. Working there is an absolute gift!
I additionally now sell my own ceramics in monthly markets on Staten Island, through a great organization called Faire and Flourish. They host markets one Sunday a month. Being a part of this organization has been so incredibly helpful towards trying to make a name for myself and building a brand. I sell all different kinds of functional pottery, made from mud to finished ceramic, start to finish. It is so wonderful being able to interact with so many different kinds of people at these events!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before I was who I am today, I was a musician, playing trombone for about twelve years. I was on a track thinking I was supposed to become a music teacher like my sisters, until I took my first ceramics class. I guess the world did tell me a potter is who I would be. I always did want to try it, so I think I would have gotten there eventually, but I am so grateful I got there when I did. When I am working with my students in the studio, I just know this is where I am meant to be.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell myself not to worry, and that although it may be later than everyone else surrounding me in school, I will realize why I am here and what I am meant to do. In high school, I always felt as though I had no idea what my passions were and felt outcasted from the rest of my friends, who knew exactly what their plan was. I was making it up as I went, initially choosing film because my mom studied it and I liked movies. Everything changed when I finally ended up in my painting i class, which eventually led me to my journey with clay.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
I think this boils down to understanding what really matters, and for that, I always trust my gut. But honestly, if you like something and are proud of it, I do not even think it matters if it is a fad, because your opinion should be the only one that matters to you.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
I definitely tap dance to work at the studio. I have never been so happy and have never loved a job like this. Working there and teaching my students there is absolutely where I am meant to be, and I truly love every minute I am there. Being able to share my love and passion for ceramics while uplifting others is definitely what I think I am meant to do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyangela_?igsh=MXVmbmJqaTQ5aGdoNw== https://www.instagram.com/artbyangela_?igsh=MXVmbmJqaTQ5aGdoNw==
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