Focusing on graphic design as her major and ceramics as her minor, Cassie says that ceramics is a sanctuary from the often structured and tailored world of graphic design. As she explains, “With ceramics, you can let loose, be messy and get as creative as you want. Ceramics is a way for me to create 3-D art and is a breath of fresh air from the 2-D art that I create in graphic design. I do intertwine both fields with each other though, because they are both great compliments to one another.”
Producing intricate and unique ceramic pieces, Cassie was awarded The Potters' Guild of Las Cruces Ceramics Award for her work in “Impossible Standards” at the April 2009 student show held at UTEP in The Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts Gallery. Also in April, Cassie received a scholarship to attend the 43rd annual National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts conference in Phoenix, Ariz., where she was able to attend classes and workshops on ceramics and view exhibitions featuring famous ceramicists. She explains, “The conference was a real eye-opener for me as far as what I can do with ceramics and who is involved in ceramics across the country. There are so many talented artists.” She also describes what makes ceramics so unique, “Ceramics is such a small community in comparison to the drawing or painting world. The ceramics community is not cut-throat but rather contains a group of people who are supportive of each other and that is something I really enjoy.”
Cassie explains, “In addition to integrating graphic design with my ceramic work, I also weave in my interest in knitting and crocheting into my ceramics. The yarn itself is integrated into the ceramics but is still in the experimental phase. I have even bought my own kiln and wheel to work on projects from home.”
In September, Cassie will be attending the Las Cruces Museum of Art exhibition "From the Ground Up XXIV" where two of her creations will be featured, “Keys” (a ceramic piece) and “Memory” (work made out of handmade papers and other raw materials).
