Meet Christopher Williams!

Christopher is a visual artist and educator currently residing in Chicago, IL. Christopher earned their MFA degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Ceramics. They earned their BFA in Ceramics from the Kansas City Art Institute, and finished a two-year Post-Baccalaureate at the University of Arkansas. Christopher has spent time studying traditional fresco techniques and classical painting in Florence, Italy which is directly referenced in the work they make. They are an impassioned gardener and flower advocate. They are a story-teller through colorful handbuilt ceramics, drawing, installation, video and hand-drawn animation.

What do you teach?

CW: Mostly handbuilding: Lamps, Figure sculpting and surface design classes!

How long have you been teaching and why did you get into it?

CW: I have been teaching for about 5 years at all different levels and capacities. I got into and kept teaching as a way to connect with new makers. Sometimes when you have been in your medium for enough time you forget what makes it so special, but teaching students that are newer or more advanced is a reminder of that initial spark and addiction that has kept you for so long

Is there a skill, mindset, or takeaway you hope students leave your class with?

CW: The one thing I will never stand to listen to if you are in my class is "I'm not really an artist" if you're taking a class to create something you are already doing it. It's not that I believe everyone is an artist. But if you're taking some step to creatively, or artistically express yourself you are apart of this creative community

This Spring, Christopher will be teaching two classes:

April: Figurative Sculpture Class LVL 1&2

May: Intro to Glazing

How does being part of The Digs community influence your teaching or making?

CW: The Digs is a unique environment where freedom of creation and ideas is built into the experience. This has encouraged me as an instructor to nurture that even more in students

What are you currently working toward or excited about next?

CW: Right now I am working on a series of figures playing with horses (or horses playing with figures) and developing some ash glazes from common weeds and food scraps (or waste material). I am working towards a duo show with my partner in the Fall.

What do you like to do in your free time outside of the studio?

CW: I do a lot of reading, and spending time with my partner and dog. We eat a lot of good food and I am a coffee snob so a lot of my time is also spent making and drinking good coffee. I also just learned to sew, so I've been making some badly made clothes.

Are there routines, systems, or habits that help structure your making time?

CW: I have certain days of the week that are studio dedicated days. I also have many components of my practice that can coexist with the different rhythms of the seasons so I can be working in multiple capacities based on what my body and mind needs. Taking walks before or after a long day helps me work through things I get stuck on in the studio. I will always either listen to full albums or audiobooks to help me pace and have a sense of time passing and carry me through.

What role does experimentation or failure play in your process?

CW: Failure and experimentation is my studio practice. Everything is an experiment and repair and aftercare is built into my work. This is also how I keep each piece or body of work I am working through fresh and exciting for myself

Where can people follow your work or stay connected?

CW: https://artaxis.org/artist/christopher-williams/

@christopherl_w

christopherwstudio@gmail.com