Meet Our Staff: Des Holsinger
Des in her studio, working on several pairs of polymer clay earrings.
I am so grateful for the people helping shape this space with their amazing energy. This month, I wanted to celebrate one of our first staff members, Desirae. She was following our journey from the beginning, and she was so excited about the art center that she volunteered to help us set things up in the first months before we even opened. I loved hearing more about her journey here, and I hope you will too. And give her a wave next time you're in the studio!
- Ros
What's your name and age, and how long have you been working with clay?
My name is Desirae Holsinger and I am 28 years old. I started with clay at about 16 years old.
What are your favorite things to make? What projects are you currently working on? What other media do you work in?
My high school art teacher Clay Walthall was the first person to introduce me to clay that I remember. I was always interested in art growing up, but only had access to things like painting and drawing at home. When I got into high school, I was able to take more advanced art classes and Mr. Walthall introduced me to hand building my junior year, I believe. He encouraged me to apply to college art programs, something I never saw for myself, and that's how I ended up at JMU pursuing a BFA in studio art. Since I was doing a BFA I got to pick a concentration, and Ceramics was at the top of my list. in choosing ceramics I got the opportunity to study under Sukjin Choi. She taught me to throw on the wheel, along with a lot of other great ceramic techniques. I graduated in 2019 from James Madison University and sadly lost access to a studio till FCC started up! I am extremely grateful to have had two skilled ceramicists to shape me as an artist.
What are your favorite things to make? What projects are you currently working on? What other media do you work in?
Currently functional work is mostly what I am making, however I have several sketches of sculptures I plan to start working on in the coming year. I loved wheel throwing in college and thought my heart would be there. And while I still do love the beauty of wheel thrown pieces and the Zen feeling I sometimes get while throwing, hand building has taken my attention this past year so far. In hand building, I am experimenting with the shapes of vessels that can be made and how I can manipulate that clay into what silhouettes I want to what can created. I also got the opportunity from Clay Walthall, to work in stained glass while in school, and over the years I have made a few stained-glass pieces since. I plan to incorporate the two together in some projects with boxes, window hangings, and lighting fixtures somehow. Since I did not have access to a studio till this past year when FCC opened, I worked with polymer clay a lot. I made earring, necklaces, bracelets, magnets, and some sculptures. While I did enjoy learning how to create with polymer clay, it did come with some limits that I can surpass with ceramics. So, getting my hand back into clay has definitely made me very happy.
What made you decide to become a Studio Assistant at Friendly City Clay?
I just wanted to be involved in ceramics and an art community again in any way possible. I thought what Ros was doing was awesome, so I reached out to be on the volunteers list. I began volunteering any time I had when Ros sent out emails or posts for help. When we started to get closer to opening, the opportunity to become an assistant was presented to me, and I jumped on it. I just wanted to be in a creative space again with other artists, because while I am a quiet person, seeing what other people create inspires me. Loading the kilns and unloading the kilns, seeing what other people make is probably one of my favorite parts of being an assistant. This opportunity has also given me a chance to learn how a studio runs for one day far in the future to maybe be able to run my own personal studio. Being an assistant has given me opportunities to learn and grow so much in the last year as an artist. The team I get to work with is so encouraging and helpful. I can't wait to see what this next year brings for us all
What would you say to someone who's just starting out with clay?
There is no wrong way to make with clay. Well, that is before your pieces fire. Clay is one of the best mediums. I love clay because you get a physical 3D object at the end and there is just something about being able to physically hold and use something you've made. Clay is really for anyone, so if you've ever been interested, I say DO IT! You won't regret it.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I genuinely love working at Friendly City Clay with the team Ros has built from the ground up. She has fostered this awesome community of artist and built a beautiful space. I am so very grateful to be a part of this. Words really can't describe the joy I feel working here. Being an introvert, I really didn't think I'd needed a community to create and be happy, but this past year has definitely proved that wrong 10 times over. If you know anyone who wants to take a class or join the studio, encourage them, too! Art changed my life, and working for this studio has made my life so much better.
