Trip to NCECA: A Creative Whirlwind with Brick & Mortar Studios

Hey everyone, Alex here from Brick & Mortar Studio, bringing you the scoop on our recent adventure at the NCECA conference! It was an eventful trip filled with clay, creativity, and a dash of chaos—just the way we like it. Here's a rundown of our highlights and some fun tidbits from our journey.

Mastering New Tricks

The conference kicked off with some cool demonstrations, and we had the pleasure of watching Master Briggs, along with several other talented potters, show off their skills. One technique that really caught our eye involved throwing slabs directly on the floor before moving them to the wheel. It’s something both Charlie and I found intriguing, so don't be surprised if you catch us throwing clay around the studio floor—it’s all part of the learning process!

Trivia Night Fun at Lindsay’s Pop-Up

Lindsay hosted a pop-up event that turned into a trivia night extravaganza with a spirited group from Alabama. As the night wore on, they headed out, and we snagged 4th place! Our prize? Control over next week's trivia music and topics. Someone’s going to have an interesting evening filled with death metal, pottery facts, buds, and dinosaur trivia. Also, Lindsay had a fantastic night selling her pots and snapping selfies with some enthusiastic young fans.

Leaving Our Mark

We didn’t just take memories from NCECA; we left some of our own behind! Isaiah got creative with his art, placing it on scooters and various spots around Richmond, adding a bit of Brick & Mortar flair to the city. We also spread some studio love with our “helpful” stickers!

A Step Back in Time

Taking a break from the clay-covered chaos, we ventured to colonial Williamsburg for a whimsical afternoon pretending to be pilgrims. It was a delightful way to unwind and immerse ourselves in some history. To top it off, we indulged in some pretty decent BBQ, and there was even a massive bear dressed as the Easter bunny!

This trip was more than just about learning and exploring new ceramic techniques; it was a chance for us to bond as a team and meet other amazing artists and enthusiasts. We returned to the studio invigorated, full of new ideas, and ready to experiment. So, if you're near the studio and hear the thuds of clay or the screams of death metal, you'll know: we're just embracing the creative spirit of NCECA!

Until next time, keep creating and exploring, and maybe we'll see you throwing some clay or rocking out to some trivia at our next workshop or class series!

— Alex and the Brick & Mortar Studio Crew

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NCECA: What really happened

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Guest Artist Interview with Nikki Lau