All Fired Up is our Store’s month-to-month handmade ceramics drop, curated by Food52 and made by small and native makers. This month, we’re that includes Chicago-based artist Emily Christopherson of EMRIS studio.

For lots of artists, the dream is that somebody—possibly a professor or a curator—spots their work and says, “You’ve obtained it.” Realistically, that not often occurs. However for Emily Christopherson, it sort of did.

“I had professors who would joke, ‘You’re within the arts college, proper?’” she instructed me. On the time, she laughed it off. However finally, their confidence helped push her to switch from the College of Minnesota to the College of the Artwork Institute of Chicago and absolutely decide to ceramics.

“I knew I actually preferred it,” she stated. “However it didn’t really feel like an actual choice—I had sort of written it off.”

Earlier than making ceramics her full-time job, Emily managed a studio part-time, taught at colleges, and bought at markets round Chicago. You’ll be able to normally spot her by the vibe of her sales space—sun-soaked, calm, and thoroughly organized. Her work has the identical power: considerate, grounded, and deeply tactile.

Her items are soft-edged however stone-like. You need to attain out and contact them. Colours keep heat and earthy—assume terracotta and stone grey. It’s the sort of assortment that simply works, it doesn’t matter what else is in your desk.
And sure, she is aware of the magic of a plate-bowl hybrid. She’s additionally keen on a pinch bowl—“there’s sort of a teeny bowl crew out on the earth,” she laughed.

Even the title of her studio has a narrative. EMRIS is a mash-up of her and her dad’s names, created throughout a childhood reminiscence digging out slightly “lake” on the seashore.

“It simply felt becoming for somebody nonetheless sort of digging round in mud and sand,” she stated with a smile. And it’s an ode to her mother and father, who’ve at all times inspired her to observe her inventive instincts. “They’ve at all times been supportive of me pursuing what I’m keen about.”

This month, we’re fortunate to hold a few of Emily’s most beloved items in our Store, from textured pinch bowls to a brand new wavy serving platter impressed by a current journey to Maine. “That one got here from exploring tide swimming pools and how rocks and shells get softened by the water,” she stated. “Lots of people mistake my work for stone or concrete at first as a result of I go away the outside unglazed.”

Her All Fired Up assortment pulls from her core lineup: “I picked items folks at all times gravitate towards,” she stated. That features the teeny bowls, spreaders, and stoneware with refined leather-based touches—every one handmade in her Chicago studio (and sure, dishwasher protected).

Emily describes ceramics as a “sluggish burn.” She’s been throwing for fifteen years, promoting for six, and formally went full-time about two years in the past. And now, issues are taking off.

We caught as much as chat extra about her path to ceramics and the inspiration behind her new assortment.

How did you first get into ceramics?

I’ve at all times preferred working with my arms—and with clay particularly. Once I was youthful, my mother and I’d sit on the kitchen desk with Sculpey and make little creatures or coil pots. Then in highschool, I used to be fortunate sufficient to get right into a ceramics class my freshman yr, and I knew I wished to strive it.

What actually stored me there, although, was the neighborhood. I’m a bit extra introverted, so it was good to be round folks but in addition have one thing to concentrate on. I made a few of my closest pals by means of ceramics.

Did you find yourself learning it all through faculty?

I did. I began on the College of Minnesota not sure of what I wished to do. The uncertainty of an artist’s profession path scared me—there’s no apparent subsequent step. However I stored having lecturers and professors who inspired me, who had extra confidence in me than I did. Ultimately, I transferred to the College of the Artwork Institute of Chicago and spent most of my time within the ceramics division.

Was there somebody who actually pushed you towards making that leap?

Throughout my first semester at Minnesota, one professor stored nudging me. I confirmed up with my previous highschool ceramic instruments and he’d say, “Oh, you’re within the arts program, proper?” He didn’t know me effectively, however the truth that he noticed potential in me made me assume—possibly that is one thing I may do.

Earlier than you have been in artwork college, was ceramics in your radar as a profession path?

Not likely, at first. I knew I preferred it, however I used to be nervous about what which may appear to be. It felt like most artists solid totally different paths, whereas with different jobs there was a transparent observe. That lack of readability made it arduous to image it as one thing secure.

Within the two years since going full-time with EMRIS, what’s been essentially the most rewarding half?

Having extra freedom—selecting how I spend my time, what initiatives to tackle. Even on arduous days, I really feel actually fortunate to have a studio and work that brings me consolation. Earlier than it was a job, it was my escape. Now, I nonetheless get to have that—simply with slightly extra clay and much more spreadsheets.

What impressed your assortment for All Fired Up?

We pulled from my current assortment and made some enjoyable units. Just like the teeny bowls in several colours and clay our bodies, or the spreaders (like small cheese and butter knives). These are issues folks have a tendency to actually love, so it felt like a good time to share them extra broadly.

Do you have got a factor that you just made early on the place you’ll be able to have a look at it and be like, ‘Oh, that is sort of what I do now’?

It positively took me some time to land on my type. I went by means of that part of considering, I don’t know if I’m adequate to be an artist, and I attempted on plenty of totally different kinds that didn’t essentially really feel pure to me. Quite a lot of my early work—particularly in highschool—was far and wide, which I really assume is an efficient solution to be taught and check out new strategies. However as soon as I began leaning right into a extra minimal type, all the things began to make a bit extra sense.

These solutions have been edited for readability.

How are you incorporating ceramics into your house this summer time?