The Clay Studio Classes, Open Studio, Galleries & Admin Offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Chandra Beadleston

My vessel of choice is a paper bag because it is so much more versatile than a cup or vase. Paper bags, like the ones I bring home from the grocery store, can be used and reused for so many purposes. My work reflects on the versatility and adaptability of these everyday items, drawing an analogy to my experiences as a woman in modern society. Women, especially women of color, are expected to fulfill multiple roles, adapt quickly, and be of service. For both women and bags in American society, the more beautiful they are the more valuable they are considered and the more coveted they become. Paper bags can be filled with many other things. They can be torn down and used as wrapping. They can be flattened and stored away when you don’t want them to be seen or have no current use for them. I’m in the process of trying to unlearn this notion that my worth is tied to my tasks.
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Naimah Stith, Retail Manager and Gallery Coordinator
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