Red Lodge Clay Center, Short-Term Resident 2021
Jenna Schmidt is a central Ohio native who recently received her M.F.A at the University of Mississippi. After the completion of her B.F.A in ceramics at Ohio University in 2020, she attended several residencies, workshops and conferences. Jenna creates functional pottery that is fired in atmospheric kilns. Finding inspiration through the freedom and imagination within children’s drawings, Jenna’s work is dynamic, energetic, and expressive. She leaves honest marks, emphasizing physical acts and recording movement. Her work has been exhibited at Baltimore Clay Works, Clay Center of New Orleans, the Charlie Cummings Gallery, and Companion Gallery.
As a maker, I consider not only the historical practicality of taking clay from the earth to create vessels to eat from or store food in, but also as an avenue for artistic expression. As a potter, having the ability to produce a body of work that serves a daily purpose holds great importance. As a mother, I am continuously inspired by the lack of restriction and imagination I see within my child’s way of living and creating. Children find joy within the process of creating alone and, similarly, it is important for me to emphasize physical acts as an aspect of my finished piece.
Currently, I am exploring forms that are first found within the consideration of utility. This idea of utility is then melded with the freedom and creative nature found within children’s drawings. Working in a way with fluidity but guided by the importance of pottery’s utility gives me a balance between disorder and order.