Discover the Art of Ceramics: Olivia Eggert Turns Clay into Creativity

In a fast-paced world, Olivia Eggert finds beauty in the slow and tactile: shaping mud into something beautiful. She spends hours creating vases, spoon rests and bowls of every size for her family and friends, and has created over 300 pieces at this point. Every ceramic piece of hers tells a story, and provides a pause from the busy regularities of being a freshman in college. 

Eggert recently moved to the San Luis Obispo (SLO) area and has since found opportunities on Cal Poly’s campus to pursue her passion. She pays for a quarterly Open Studio Pass that allows her to use the on-campus studio located at the University Union. This pass gives her the freedom to create any piece she wants during open hours, and she attributes much of her progress to the beauty of the Central Coast. 

What first drew you to ceramics as a hobby, and how did you get started in it? 

I started during COVID. Ceramics was something that really just caught my eye because I was looking for new hobbies while we were shut down in the house. It was something that I could do during lockdown and isolation periods. I just started taking classes wherever I could. 

You’re a college freshman. How do you balance your college workload with your passion for ceramics?

Every night, I look at my schedule and see if I can get into the studio the next day. I'm sure to create the time because it helps me unwind and is good for my mental state. So, I make time to go into the ceramic studio. 

How does the environment of San Luis Obispo inspire your creations? 

I like the natural beauty of SLO, so I try to do more natural forms and soft edges on my vases. All the colors here keep me inspired and allow me to stay creative. I also love going to the Downtown SLO Farmers Market, just to see all the creators and all the creations that exist in SLO. Ceramics can be a hands-on, sometimes messy medium. 

What’s your favorite part of the process? 

The clay is definitely my favorite part because it can take you anywhere. When I first start throwing a piece, I don't really have a plan for it. I let the clay do its thing and see my vibe that day. 

There's something really satisfying about taking a meaningless lump of clay and shaping it into something that can be used, like a beautiful vase or a bowl. This is the step where I see my piece come alive, where I get really excited about the whole process and just inspired overall. 

Are there any unexpected lessons you learned while working with ceramics? 

I've probably thrown over 300 pieces, and I get better with every single one. I learned a new lesson with every single one. With ceramics, you just can't be too hard on yourself. There's something really beautiful about the patience that I learned to have with myself. I now know what I'm capable of in and out of the studio. 

What inspired you to start your new ceramics-focused Instagram account (@oliviaeggertceramics)?

Whenever I'm in the studio, I take a lot of pictures of what I do. The ceramics Instagram account came as a way to share my art with others. People always say that they really love my pieces, and I'd love to showcase that and share it with others. 

Where do you see the future of your creations heading? 

Eventually, I hope to start selling pieces. That’s another purpose of my Instagram account. I figure that if I document it now and take people along on this little journey that I'm attempting, the word will get out and I'll be able to have a bigger brand eventually. 

If I do turn it into a brand, I want to make sure that doesn't become a chore to me. I want to keep the positivity that it currently provides in my life. I don't want to view it as something that I have to do, but rather as something that I get to do and something that I love to do. I would like to just keep it in my life as I think it's a great way to unwind.