Interview with Tierney Cacioppo
1. When did you first touch clay?
The first time I touched clay was in elementary school art class, but play-doh was one of my favorite things as a kid.
2. What inspired you to really delve into making ceramic work?
I had a wonderful ceramics teacher in high school and that class really made me fall in love with clay. I knew from the first time I sat down at a pottery wheel that I was absolutely hooked.
3. What was your first and/or favorite piece you’ve made?
I added an attachment of a photo of the first piece I made that I was truly proud of. I think I was 16 or 17 when I made it.
4. What made you decide to open a studio?
I was not the original owner of Muddy Waters. Kara McKamey opened it in 2011. I had just graduated from college and was looking for a studio space, when I heard about Muddy Waters. I became a member there to continue to work on my craft while I figured out my next steps. I was planning on grad school. She quickly needed another hand helping teach classes and so I filled that spot. A couple years later she found out that she was moving to Rhode Island and offered to sell me the studio. On January 1 2015 I became the proud owner of Muddy Waters.
5. What is your favorite part of running a studio?
My favorite part of running the studio is getting to be around the wonderful community of other ceramic artists. I very much love getting to share something that I am passionate about and enjoy with others.
6. What does a typical day in the studio look like?
Every day in the studio is a little bit different, but normally it consists of teaching a class or two, working on some step of the clay reclaiming process, loading or unloading a kiln and cleaning. Having a ceramic studio means that there is always something that needs to be cleaned. lol
7. How do you balance the creation of your own pottery with the business side of running a studio?
It is definitely difficult to balance the creation of my own work with running the studio. I try to carve out at least a little time every week to make my pieces. As I move forward, I do want to find a better balance of working on my own creations.
8. What are your current goals or aspirations for your studio?
My current goals for the studio are to continue to grow. I hope to grow in studio space and equipment. I want to provide the best studio space and opportunities I can for our students and community members
9. Personal preferences
a. What is your preferred clay body and firing method
Currently I am using peppered wheat and am just electric firing
b. What is your favorite glaze and/or tool?
A glaze that I use in many of my pieces is Mayco’s Amber Topaz and my favorite tool is the red rib from mud tools
