She’s not the department
she’s the whole business
Image: The Artist, HR Wright.
HR Wright has been here, there, and everywhere, truly living the idea of staying unstill. Hailing originally from Western New York, HR has traveled around the country working for nonprofits and making varied types of art. Her main focus with Stay Unstill Ceramics is to create pottery with a purpose. And not just making the perfect vessel for a personal serving of chips and salsa, but working toward having her work impact local communities. Though she has stilled for a while now in Austin, Texas, she is always ready for her wheels to spin.
How it started
“Cognitive Dissonance”, ceramic, 2014
After spending a year working at a refugee resettlement center in Rochester, NY, she realized that she would rather get involved in the nonprofit sector rather than attend more school. She went on to work another year in national service before becoming truly nomadic and working for a disaster relief nonprofit.
“Coming Home”, ceramic, 2014
Hannah “HR” Wright received a Bachelors of Science in Psychology with a minor in Studio Art, concentrating her work in ceramics at Nazareth College of Rochester in New York. Initially, the artist intended to pursue the field of art therapy, hoping to utilize creative expression for healing and communication for her clients.
And then what happened
HR's work in disaster relief took her across the country, connecting her with like-minded individuals dedicated to serving communities devastated by nature's fury. She documented her experiences through writing, photography, and film. In addition to leading teams, she actively participated in the labor-intensive efforts, sawing fallen trees and tearing out water-damaged walls from homes that had endured more flooding in two days than in an entire year. After several years—and numerous hurricanes—with the organization, HR realized she needed a break.
Image: Home affected by Hurricane Florence in North Carolina, photo by HR Wright, 2018.
Just before the 2020 pandemic, HR found herself in Austin, Texas, seeking to get reacquainted with the artistic side of herself that collected chairs, painted murals, and, of course, threw pots. And as she considered settling into Austin’s art scene, the pandemic decided she’d better stay awhile.
Image: HR on demo site in Oklahoma after flooding, 2019.
How it’s going
Array of Brass-Knuckle Mugs, cone 6 ceramic, 2023
HR now teaches pottery classes at the Dougherty Art Center, Mud Studio, and The Contemporary Art School at Laguna Gloria in Austin, Texas. In addition to producing her own line of pottery and creating sculptural work about her experiences working in disaster, she also works with the collective Art Island as a Core Team Member, supporting their artistic and event operations as Toolkit Lead. When not working one of her many jobs, you can find her on the water, on the dance floor, or somewhere on the highway between Texas and New York.
Sunflower Sangria Set, cone 6 ceramic, 2023.
HR teaching raku firing, 2024.
“Apartment Planter”, cone 6 ceramic, 2023.
someone already asked so you don’t have to
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Visit the “Pupils” page for class descriptions and external links to the studios I work at (they manage the class registrations). If you’re interested in a private lesson, please use the “Contact Us” page.
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We’re working on getting an online shop up and running, but the “we” is a “me,” and “me” still has a day job…or a few. So the online store is a work in progress.
In the meantime, the best way to get your own “pot with a purpose” is to stay unstill and stop by my booth at the next show! Or fill out the form on the “Contact Me” page to inquire about pots, commissions, or wholesale/consignment opportunities.
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HR stands for reproductive rights for anyone with a uterus, more funding for arts programming in public schools, and… oh. You mean my name.
It’s a nickname of a nickname of a nickname.