The arts act as a buffer against the monotony of daily life, sweeping away the daze of routine and sparking the connections that bind us as a community. They resonate differently in each person, and they lift our eyes beyond the ordinary, reminding us of the things that are larger than ourselves.
For Artist Support Grantee Joanna Blitch, her ceramic creations are a response to the changes she sees in the natural world. Growing up in North Carolina and studying at Appalachian State University, she developed a deep appreciation for the diverse landscape that spans the state.
“When I feel powerless against the development or changes I see in nature, I can either stew or make something from those feelings,” she says. She recalls taking her son to the Watershed trails, introducing him to moss, turtles, and trees—instilling in him the same sense of wonder she holds dear.
Blitch started working in clay while studying in the mountains to fulfill an elective requirement and immediately fell in love with its versatility. Initially, she focused on functional ceramics—pieces that would sell—but she has recently returned to sculptural work, using earth itself to explore ideas about the environment. After stepping away from artmaking for several years to focus on raising a family, she applied for an Artist Support Grant to participate in Cohorts, a national mentorship program that pairs developing ceramicists and metalsmiths with seasoned artists.
Through artistic critique, career advice, and creative accountability, the program has helped her rediscover her voice. “When I decided to get back into art, it was a little bit like a houseplant that had been neglected and started to get a bit brown”, says Blitch. “I had gotten out of practice. This program helped me to face it and that discomfort.” As she continues refining her work, she has learned to trust her instincts, recognizing that the most authentic creations often resonate with others the most.
Blitch says that receiving an Artist Support Grant has meant everything to her.
“The ACGG is an incredible investment in the value of community,” Blitch states. “Art is our birthright—it’s what defines us as a species.”
At the heart of Blitch’s story is a belief in active creative expression and the importance of showing up for your craft. That same artistic spark exists in all of us—whether in a sculptor shaping clay or in the music we dance to in the kitchen. The challenge is simple: find what resonates with the truest version of yourself—and make space for it.
Joanna Blitch’s work, “Come to Grief”, will be displayed at Greensboro Project Space for Big Works, Small Works from March 18th to March 22
