LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Alex Adams is a ceramic artist who makes functional pottery at the wheel. The Louisville native is also the owner and director of AA Clay Studio & Gallery where he facilitates and teaches adult classes in ceramics, keeps regular open studio hours and operates a gift shop and gallery. Adams squeezed us in for a quick chat about how he spends his rare free time. Here’s what he had to say:
OUT AND ABOUT On a typical day off I wake up around 8 or 9 a.m. and enjoy coffee from a French press while eating breakfast, probably oatmeal and banana. I watch the morning news or listen to some song that I need to listen to again. I have been listening to American rock band Deer Tick a lot lately. On a summer day I will hopefully go for a bike ride. This is probably my favorite thing in the whole world to do. I ride up to Cherokee Park and ride the loop that goes past Hogan’s Fountain. It is the perfect way to get some exercise and experience a thrill. In the colder months I will not ride my bike so much and enjoy walking around the neighborhood for exercise. I live in Germantown in a house with two room-mates. I grew up hanging out in the neighborhood and I have seen it change. It is fun to visit the new businesses in the area.
Many of my days off are spent at the studio catching up on an order or a project in process. However, sometimes I do get a full day off. I will spend these days finding leisurely things to do that take my mind off the daily grind. I like visiting different areas around town and looking for new things to do. All the different restaurants around Louisville are fun to experience. Bernheim Forest is a surprisingly close place to get away from the city and be in nature. I like to visit local shops, galleries and the Speed Museum where I am inspired to make art.
IN THE KITCHEN If I am not spending the day acting like a tourist in my own town I enjoy hanging around the house. I love planning and cooking a delicious meal that tastes so good it has to be shared. I don’t get time to cook on a daily basis so it is fun to make it the main event of my day. This is time to slow down and focus on making one great thing—in this case a meal. In a similar way, creating ceramic art is a time to get caught up in the process and focus my energy. Then when the process is over I am able to stand back and say “wow! I made that” and (most of the time) it’s pretty good. This is the same empowering experience we encourage at the studio and I enjoy carrying this positivity into my days off.
WINDING DOWN In the evening with some time to spare I may rest in a cushioned chair and read from a book, often times a textbook about ceramic technique like The Kiln Book by Frederick L. Olsen because we are planning to build a small cross-draft kiln at the studio in the spring of 2019. I am currently reading On Design: The Magic Language Of Things by Eva Zeisel. I enjoy watching comedies on Netflix like It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia or one of the new real-life mystery series. I like hanging out with my friends at their houses, at a new restaurant, or at the Nach Bar. I have a great group of friends who share creative pursuits in different mediums. It is inspiring to be with people who can share ideas and brain storm constructively. It takes a lot of energy and devotion to work as an artist. Solid support from others is important and I am fortunate to share those experiences with our members and customers at AA Clay Studio & Gallery.
If you’re interested in trying your hand at ceramic art you can do so in upcoming classes at AA Clay Studio & Gallery. Online registration is now open for two, six-week classes in wheel throwing: Wheel Throwing I classes will run Tuesdays from January 15 to February 19 and Wheel Throwing II classes will run Thursdays from January 31 to March 7. For more information on Adams and AA Clay Studio & Gallery visit alexadamsclaywork.com.
