Morgantown based artist Ashley Worst is having a solo show of her ceramic work made while a resident at Lock House Studio in Morgantown. The exhibit is at the Lock House Studio, 56 Morgantown Lock Road on August 11, starting at 6pm. She shares with Zackquill about being an artist in Morgantown and her experience as a studio assistant there and more!
Z: How did you end up in West Virginia?
A: I came to West Virginia when I chose to attend Bethany College in the fall of 2013, and have stuck around ever since! For the past two summers I have called Morgantown home, and have done so because I became a studio assistant at Lock House Studio. This means that WV has been home for about two whole years now (and plus some). Time flies when you’re having fun!
Z: How did you come to be an artist?
A: I have always loved creating things, but I believe I came to be an artist after finishing the Visual Arts major at Bethany. I’m still currently in school finishing up another major, but I see myself as an artist now that I have an idea of what I want to accomplish after graduation this coming spring. Over the past couple years, I have added skills to my repertoire enough that I have grown as a person. Confidence is key for an artist to be an artist, and I think I am almost there.
Z: How did this exhibition come about? Why is this important for the Morgantown community?
A: This exhibition came to be with the help of Lisa Giuliani. For the past two summers I have worked as her studio assistant, and learned the tricks of the trade. This summer she brought up having a small solo show at the very end as a way to wrap up my time at Lock House Studio. It seems fitting as a farewell to the place I have called home. It is important for the Morgantown community to have functions like this to show that even though someone came to town as an outsider, by working in the field that they love, they can become part of the Morgantown family to help enrich the community in their own postive way.
Z: How do you think the environment is for the arts in Morgantown? How do you think it could improve?
A: Morgantown is a thriving arts environment. Wherever I have gone, I have met people who have either taken part in the arts, or know of someone who has. On my runs, I see murals and fliers for various events around town. When I go out around town, I see local businesses bringing in local musicians and talent. As someone who is not from a very large and active community, I see Morgantown as a place where the arts not only grow, but flourish. I have not been around long enough to be able to note any areas of improvement, but I am sure there are some. No place is perfect, and Morgantown is no exception. It is perfectly imperfect.
Z: What is your favorite thing about being an artist/creative/curator in Morgantown?
A: My favorite thing about being a working student artist in Morgantown is the support system that is available. I have made friends in different social groups around town who are unique and wonderful in so many different ways, and they have all offered me different points of view to see from. It is a well-rounded community and it has allowed me to grow because of it.
Z: Any advice for young artists in the area?
A: My advice would be to just try something. It’s okay to fail and fall down. How else will you learn? I just recently started going to yoga, and the one of the things I hear consistently is that it is okay to be wobbly. Embrace the wobbles. That is the only way you know that you are growing and getting stronger.
Z: What would people be surprised to know about you?
A: I think people would be surprised to know that I only recently started working in ceramics. I had never worked in it before the spring of 2015, but I fell in love with it and knew that it had to stay. Now, the plan is to attend graduate school for either ceramics or sculpture. The entire experience has altered my future plans!
Z: Anything to add?
A: Thank you for taking the time to let say a little about myself. It makes me feel like a part of the Morgantown community.
For more information on Lock House Studio visit lockhousestudio.com or find it on Facebook. For more of Ashley’s work visit http://ashleyworstceramics.weebly.com/.
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Sally Deskins is a writer, curator and artist based in Morgantown. She edits Les Femmes Folles, a journal for women in art, and serves as Exhibits Coordinator at WVU Libraries. Send her notes and ideas to sallydeskins@yahoo.com