Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Zardus.
Christina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I got my start picking magnolia petals in my childhood backyard and pretending they were teacups. Still following the path of play and making, you will find me creating functional ceramics, teaching classes through Sugar Hill Clay Studio in Detroit, or on a picnic with my daughter.
I discovered ceramics my senior year of college and have been chasing it ever since. After several years of being an elementary and middle school art teacher, I decided to pursue my own artistic endeavors and moved to Chicago, where I was a ceramic studio assistant. I then moved to Detroit in July 2020, gave birth to my beautiful baby, and built a little home studio in the back pantry of our old home in Mexicantown. I soon joined Sugar Hill Clay Studio, in Midtown, as a way to fire my work, and began teaching workshops there.
Still hungry to learn more about ceramics, I decided to go the alternative graduate degree route and pursued an apprenticeship, where I worked under the nationally recognized potter, Jeremy Randall. Our little family moved 8hrs away to Skaneateles, NY, a quaint finger lake town, with a thriving arts community. There I helped Jeremy take over his family run gallery of 20 years and add on a community ceramics studio to it. This 2 year apprenticeship was not only a time to creatively explore my craft, but also learn the ropes of running a business in the field of ceramics. It was a priceless experience.
Detroit welcomed us back in May 2024, and so did Sugar Hill Clay Studio, where I work presently as an instructor and tech. It is a space that thrives with passionate people, all crazy about ceramics. Last summer, I did a short term artist residency in Detroit, at the Glastonbury Collective, where we lived and made with other artists. Right now, I delicately balance being an artist, teacher, single mom, and caregiver for my 94 year old grandma.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was not smooth, and not linear.
Art was the one discipline that came innate to me, but it took me some time to accept that as a viable path. It wasn’t until my senior year of college, I switched my special education major to Art Education, and took my first ceramics class. I remember thinking this is what I wanted to do with my life, but also feeling wildly behind. I have been chasing ceramics since that point, and don’t feel so behind anymore. I feel an acceptance of time and myself. Yes, there was rejection, heartbreak, hurdles, relocations, and I am sure there will be more challenges along the way, but now I get to share with others my love for the craft.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I make functional ceramic work that I rent out for events or sell. I am largely motivated by food, nature, and being a mom. I love art that you can use.
A huge part of my practice is teaching, one where we mutually grow together. I specialize in community art outreach. Last week I taught a weeklong ceramic summer camp to Kindergarten through 4th grade and I also host weekly ceramic classes for adults. I feel unique in that I get to teach to such a broad range of people. Children find everything they make perfect, and adults are much more critical and hard on themselves. Teaching both age groups fuels my ability to help balance those extremes. I try to build confidence and also encourage looking deeper. Not everyone gets this privilege.
Being more community centric in my art practice, also sets me apart. My summer residency at the Glastonbury Collective, we created a large scale picnic to celebrate with our friends and family at the end of the summer. I made all the ceramic wares for this event and organized it for roughly 130 people. I’d much rather invite you over for a meal and use my ceramics, than have my wares showcased in a museum/gallery to look at.
A recent event that I am most proud of is creating all the centerpieces for my sister’s wedding. I made over 200 custom pieces, including vases, candle holders, plates, and bowls to decorate the tables. My cousin, Olivia Zardus, a talented floral designer, did all the florals for the wedding and it was such a treat to see our work together. We both have had our own separate artistic journeys and it was amazing to see how wonderful we looked together. I look forward to doing more projects with her.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Find a studio/ or welcoming community and soak up every little bit that you can. Being open to others can really teach you a lot. The resources are out there, whether that’s through a community college, a studio, online, or a friend. Also, try to get a work exchange opportunity. You usually get free access to a studio, time to work, in exchange for helping run a studio. Win win.
I wish I knew that sometimes the barriers or restrictions produce the best outcomes.
Pricing:
- Each ceramic piece I make is unique and individually priced.
- Wheel Workshop Try-It classes at Sugar Hill Clay Studio are $65 a person for a 2 hr session
- 8 week classes at Sugar Hill Clay Studio for $265
Contact Info:
- Website: https://christinazardus.wixsite.com/ceramics
- Instagram: @zard.ist
- Other: christinazardus@gmail.com
Image Credits
Images 1-2 Tabitha Zabik Photography
Image 3 Olivia Zardus
Image 4 Bridget Vial
Images 5-8 Christina Zardus
