“I believe all people need an outlet that allows them to step outside their daily reality to turn a vision into a product. Clay does this and more, allowing me to dive into a process that is both highly meditative and creatively satisfying.”
How often have you taken a step back to fully ponder over what you are truly interested in? Especially in today’s context, we often find ourselves putting our passions on hold to fulfill our daily expectations. In today’s Host Spotlight – Meet Scott, an avid potter and maker who pursues his driving passion in pottery while being career-focused. Read on to learn about the reason why Scott finds joy in creating and how his classes help to inspire individuals!
Hi, can you introduce yourself to our community and tell us more about the experiences that you offer through Verlocal?
Hi, I’m Scott! I’ve always been a driven individual, equally focused on my career…and on having as much fun as possible. I spent a decade working in politics and foreign policy, before moving to Austin to start a company. However, while I stay busy with work, my passion for fun and creation leads me to live music venues, trout streams and the pottery studio.
Pottery, in particular, has been a driving passion. Beyond the joy of creating, it is the synapses, the creative process that creates and keeps sharp that I value above all. Call it what you will, but I’m better at every part of life when I’m making time to create with clay.
Tell us about your background: When did you first become inspired to do what you love?
In university, I took pottery class to fulfill art credit requirements. Many potters will tell you they never intended to become potters, but when given the chance the clay chose them. This is exactly what happened to me. That single class has now turned into a decade-long passion that I expect to be with me the rest of my life.
What does your passion mean to you?
To me clay is creation. I believe all people need an outlet that allows them to step outside their daily reality to turn a vision into a product. Clay does this and more, allowing me to dive into a process that is both highly meditative and creatively satisfying.
What made you want to pursue your passion and become a host?
I recently fulfilled a long-time dream, building and equipping a home studio. Pottery has always been about community, and Verlocal has enabled me to begin meeting and building a community around the studio.
How would you describe the link between your classes and the community around you?
For me, the classes are a way to build a community of creators, while offering those nearby a way to sharpen their skills or begin the ceramic journey that has meant so much to my life.
Can you tell us a little bit more about a story you’ve had between you and your students when you were teaching your classes?
So much of mastering pottery is about learning or knowing about, techniques that unlock a specific piece of the creative process. I used to work with a student named Allison who, with just a little work on how to center or how to pull clay from the bottom of the pot, was able to quickly improve her ceramic ability. This allowed her to rapidly gain confidence in her ability to throw bigger pots and create more balanced structures. The most satisfying piece of this was that she had long term frustrations that were quickly put rest with just a small amount of good instruction.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to learn more about your passion?
Get started! The end result is a gorgeous vase, mug or platter, but it is the creative journey that gives me the most joy. Plus…you get to get muddy when making pots. What’s more fun than that?!
How long have you been living in the city? What are some insider tips you’d like to recommend to someone who just moved to the city?
I’ve lived in Austin for a year and a half, but have visited for many years. My best advice to new Austin residents is to take advantage of the cities’ friendly environment by joining new friends for Greenbelt outings, barton swims, and late night dancing at one of Austin’s many wonderful music venues.
Is there a social cause you are really passionate about?
I worked in politics for years and consider myself to be an issue driven individual, though I have a special affinity for environmental conservation and social justice.
What is your favorite moment/story you’ve had between you and your customers?
My favorite moment as a teacher is to watch a student have an “aha” moment, knowing that I helped them to discover a skill or a technique that further unlocks their creative potential.
What are your goals for the future?
I constantly seek new challenges. I hope to always be fortunate enough to pursue my passions, whether that be starting a company or mastering a new hobby.
Any recommendations for someone who might want to start their own business?
Just do it! And then remember that the challenges and the failures are simply learning moments as long as you are persistent enough to keep trying.
What does Verlocal mean to you?
It’s a platform and a conduit that both connects me to customers and helps me to discover and build a community around me.
Share one quote that resonates with you the most and what it means for you?
“We hear nothing so clearly as what comes out of silence. ” ― David James Duncan
Whether fly fishing or throwing a pot, I feed off the silent, meditative process. It brings me joy in the moment and creates a centered state of being that improves every other aspect of my life.
Share the story behind your favorite piece of pottery or your experiences with clay! Comment below before February 17, 2017 and one lucky commenter will get to attend a pottery class with Scott!
If you are a host on Verlocal and would love to feature on host spotlight, send us an email at [email protected] with a short paragraph about why you want to be featured!
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