Ian Wieczorek

Major: Fine Arts – Ceramics

Class of: 2016

I first came to SNC to snowboard. I was young minded and all I wanted to do was go off big cliffs, but I met some ceramics students and started throwing pottery after dinner until 2am to unwind from the day. My friends introduced me to wine in a handmade mug and I joined Clay Club. We traveled to professional ceramics conferences got to meet professional ceramicists who are successful and happy. I started making a little money selling what I was making. It was awesome!

It got me thinking about switching to a ceramic degree. My main concern was, how am I going to make a living? I realized that, just like any other career path, you need to give it your all and make connections. Talk to people, pick their brain about making a living as a ceramic artist. I have a very strong work ethic. I didn’t want a corporation to take advantage of my ability and effort and use it to their advantage. I changed my major, moved to the Art Building, and started learning to think for myself.

BFA Exhibition: leaching fire

“The things that inspire me to make work are mutations in our genes, chemicals in the food industry, pop culture, over population, mass consumption, and experimentation.”

I graduated in December 2016. It feels so great to be done and on my own. A friend and I bought land and a building on highway 28 in Tahoe City, Ca. We renovated it into ceramic studio, painting studio, glass shop, and a show room to sell work. We plan to sell pottery and paintings to tourists and locals, and hosting a farmers’ market on the property. We’re making things happen and giving it a shot to be full time artists.

I’m staying in touch with the connections I made at the NCECA conference, so I will be traveling a lot this summer to fire wood kilns and learn new techniques. I’m also going to travel and see all the different art around the world. Life is short, and with the global situation we are in right now, I want to experience what is out there before it’s gone.

Ask a Question