I came back to pottery at the beginning of 2021 after a long break. I’m a psychotherapist, a recovering academic, a deep feeler, and a chronic over-thinker, which means that I often spend long hours marinating in my thoughts and feelings. While there’s nothing wrong with this per se, my professional pursuits and the fog of the pandemic left me feeling cut off from the neck down. Like most folks, I was worried and lonely and a little depressed and needed an outlet that allowed me to inhabit my body again. The practice of pottery brought me a very visceral way of expressing these pent-up thoughts and feelings. Centering with my whole body, feeling clay between my fingers, and learning to play with fire (in a safe and controlled kiln environment) has been such a healing and joyful experience. From this intentional return to listening to my body through a creative practice, a one-woman ceramics shop was born: Slow Life Pottery – I’ve been your friendly neighborhood pots dealer ever since. I’m thrilled to share a little bit about my work at the next Share the Wealth! And I’d love to hear about your creative, healing journey as well. Come to learn about ceramics, stay and share some of your own creative explorations!
In addition to her pottery hobby/side-hustle, Sarah Bollinger is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the states of Tennessee and Missouri. She completed her Master of Social Work degree at New York University and her PhD in Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. She joyfully left academia to pursue private practice in Nashville, TN and hasn’t looked back since. She fancies herself a “Jill of all trades” artist who sings jazz, writes books, takes pictures, and makes pots. Dr. Bollinger is an avid Dr. Chmiel fan and has frequented his classes over the years.
Join us!
Sunday 20 August
Zoom begins 7 pm Central Time
Email me for URL: markjchmiel@gmail.com
