Meet Sarah House | Ceramic Artist and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah House and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
The habits that helped me succeed are also the habits that I need to keep in check. I tend to put art making above all else, sometimes above my own health and wellness, though I’m getting much better at that. I’ve learned that balance is necessary for a sustainable art practice. Sleep, healthy food, exercise, and quality time with community all add to my artistic endeavors, as they make me a happier healthier human.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a ceramic sculptor, I make art about patterns in nature and interconnection. Lately I’ve begun incorporating felted wool with porcelain in very fun and whimsical ways. I’m most excited about this new series because there is a tangible sense of playfulness in the work. For me, there must be joy in the making; life is much too short to not have some fun while working. Is it easy? Absolutely not. Practicing joy and play is paradoxically challenging. The world can seem very dark, and it’s easy to slip into nihilism. Practicing joy and play is a way for all of us to be reminded of the beauty in this world, and that it’s worth fighting for. Since I started incorporating felted wool and whimsy into my work, there has been a notable shift in the interest I’m seeing from the public. Folks are excited about it in a way they haven’t been before, and that’s encouraging me to continue on this playful path.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in New Orleans, so there are many activities to choose from. If I was hosting a friend from out of town, we’d stroll through City Park, visit the New Orleans Museum of Art and have a picnic under the famous Chime Tree. Maybe we’d also visit the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and get lunch at Cafe Carmo. In the evenings we’d see live music on Frenchman Street, bouncing from one jazz club to the next. Spotted Cat Music Club is a favorite venue of mine. You really can’t go wrong in New Orleans, there’s something on every corner. If it’s not in the heat of summer, we’d ride bikes around some historic neighborhoods and take in all the beautiful architecture. Grab a coffee drink from Petite Clouet and sit under the live oaks with lazily swaying spanish moss hanging from their massive branches. As much as I like going out in this fair city of mine, I most enjoy a small intimate gathering in a backyard with good friends and a bottle of wine. These are the experiences that are the glue that hold community together, and I love to introduce out-of-town friends to the rich network of incredible humans that make up this city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shoutout my career coach, Rachel Meginnes. I worked with her for 6 months from fall 2022 through the spring of 2023. My goal in hiring a coach was to help me bring my art career to the next level and begin actually making a living from making sculpture. She helped me make a road map, find my strengths, and hold me accountable. Working with her helped me immensely. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my partner as well, he’s been the most supportive person in my life, my #1 cheerleader.

Website: www.sarahhouseceramics.com

Instagram: sarahhouseart

Image Credits
Steven Kennedy