I’m beyond excited to share that I’ll be heading to Shigaraki, Japan, for a two-month artist residency at Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park from April to June 2025! It’s a dream opportunity to immerse myself in one of Japan’s most historic pottery towns, surrounded by artists from around the world. Shigaraki has been a center for ceramics for over 1,200 years and is famous for its Shigaraki ware, known for its warm, earthy tones and organic textures shaped by traditional wood-fired kilns. The chance to work in a place where history and innovation come together feels like the perfect setting to push my creative practice forward.
Shigaraki is also home to many incredible contemporary ceramicists, including En Iwamura, whose work I admire for its playful yet deeply rooted approach to Japanese aesthetics. I’m looking forward to being surrounded by this kind of artistic energy, learning from fellow ceramicists, and exploring new ideas in my own work. Unlike Japan’s tourist-heavy cities, Shigaraki is a quiet town near Osaka, making it an ideal place to slow down, focus, and create without distractions. There’s something special about being in a space where conversations naturally drift to clay, glazes, and the unpredictable magic of the kiln.
This will be my fourth time visiting Japan, but my last trip was in 2017, so it’s been a while! This time, I’m hoping to finally tick off a longtime bucket list dream—seeing the cherry blossoms during hanami season and celebrating my birthday under the sakura trees! After the residency, I’m also planning to visit my Japanese friends in Tokyo, which makes this trip even more meaningful.
I feel incredibly grateful for this opportunity—to create, learn, and be inspired in such a historic and vibrant place. I can’t wait to see how this experience shapes my work and to share my journey along the way! Follow my Japan adventures with regular updates on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_designani
