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My Ceramics Journey Through Taos and Beyond

Writer's picture: Sydney KennedySydney Kennedy

From Aspens to Art Studios: How Taos Ignited My Creative Fire


Returning to Taos always feels like stepping into a familiar story. Growing up, my parents would take me and my brother hiking, introducing us to the vibrant culture, art, and, of course, the incredible food scene. My recent birthday trip surprised me with something new: a deep dive into Taos’ ceramics community, something I’d never fully explored before.


Taos’ Inspiring Landscape

A night sky filled with stars, with silhouettes of a tall tree in the foreground

The land around Taos never fails to inspire. The aspen trees were changing into shades of golden yellow and fiery red, making me wish I could capture that movement and color in a glaze. I imagined a shimmer like the light through the leaves, bright and warm, dancing across a ceramic surface. The night sky was also striking, with stars so vivid they felt like they were woven into the fabric of the sky—so different from the light-polluted view I see back home in Lubbock.


A Visit to the Taos Ceramic Center


One of my first stops was Taos Ceramic Center, where I was greeted by Georgia, the warm and knowledgeable general manager. The space itself was a delight, with a gallery and a small shop full of clays, tools, and glazes, all beautifully organized. Georgia gave me a full tour, taking me through the gallery and into the studio—a space buzzing with creativity. Her passion for ceramics and dedication to making the center welcoming for all visitors, from seasoned ceramicists to newcomers, truly impressed me.


Exploring New Mexico Clay

Stacks of plastic-wrapped clay blocks totaling 500 pounds stored under a wooden shelf in a ceramics studio.
500 Pounds of clay from New Mexico Clay

On my way south, I stopped in Albuquerque to visit New Mexico Clay, a much larger shop with an extensive selection of clays, glazes, tools, and equipment. Here, I met Keven, another knowledgeable team member who seemed as excited to chat about kilns and clay bodies as I was to learn. Seeing their setup, especially their rental kilns, gave me new ideas for my own studio. He even walked me through how to use a touchpad programmer, a real upgrade from my kiln sitter, sparking thoughts of investing in a larger kiln soon.


Pieces, Techniques, and New Ideas

A tall, ceramic vase with marbled earth tones on display in an art gallery, surrounded by other sculptural pieces.

Both visits opened my eyes to new techniques and styles. At New Mexico Clay, I fell in love with a playful piece called a "mug shot"—a shot glass shaped like a mini-mug, complete with a handle! This little design sparked ideas for my next batch of small, functional pieces. I also encountered pieces fired in techniques I haven’t tried, like Saggar and wood firings, which offer earthy, organic finishes I’m eager to explore.



Reflection and Goals


Coming back from this trip, I felt more connected to my work and inspired by the diversity I’d seen in other artists’ creations. Every piece was unique, each artist’s style distinct and unrepeatable. Seeing that variety reinforced how ceramics is a deeply personal and expressive art form, no matter where you are on your journey.


I was practically bursting with excitement to get back into my studio, ready to dive into all the new ideas sparked by this trip! I’m especially eager to try new firing techniques and tackle some equipment upgrades. A mini-series on kiln maintenance is also in the works—covering all the hands-on skills I’ve picked up over time that many new ceramicists might not know about.


If you’re ever in New Mexico, I can’t recommend these ceramic centers enough. The expertise, the community, and the genuine kindness I found in Taos and Albuquerque made this trip unforgettable. And if you’re curious about my studio upgrades or trying a "mug shot," keep an eye out for my next projects—this trip left me with plenty of inspiration to bring to the table.

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