Staff Highlight: Antonio Gonzalez

/ rain city clay/

ANTONIO GONZALEZ

Rain City Clay is lucky to be staffed by a group of dedicated ceramicists who work diligently to keep the studio running, who teach with passion and exuberance, and engage and build community through clay. In addition to all that they do at RCC, they also have their own clay practices, either at RCC or off-site, where they make their own work and grow their skills. Each month we will be featuring one of our fantastic staff members and their talents.

This month we are highlighting instructor Antonio Gonzalez (he/him)!

Antonio Gonzalez’s Bio:

Antonio Gonzalez is a person of Native Texan and Mexican ancestry with an Indigenous Chicano politic from Yanaguana (San Antonio, Texas). Born into a colonial experience, he has spent the majority of his life learning about and building alternatives to the current socio-political paradigm through the arts.

Get to know Antonio!

What do you enjoy as an RCC instructor?

One of my favorite things about instructing is meeting a new group of folks and seeing what inspires them and how it shows through their work.  Helping people connect to the clay and themselves is a great privilege and witnessing their ‘Aha!’ moments brings me so much joy!

What is your favorite part of the clay process?

My favorite part of the clay process is when I’m not sure about what’s next for that piece.  Pushing myself to get through the uncertainty usually results in something interesting that I can then explore further to see if I can keep building on it or not.

 

When do you feel most inspired?

I’m inspired by energy and connection.  Work that is grounded yet dynamic.  The results of synergistic confluences.  Fluorescent formalism and visual alliteration.  Mata Ortiz pottery and Kandinsky and art deco and animism.

Is there something you’ve wanted to try making that you’ve never made before or haven’t made in a long time?

The surform is my absolute favorite tool after my hands!

If your clay creations could talk, what do you think they’d say to you?

If my work could talk, they’d ask for more friends!

 

Do you listen to music or podcasts in the studio? If so, do you have a playlist or favorite musician you would like to share?

I really like watching reality tv while working, particularly car restoration shows.

What advice would you give to Antonio 5 years ago?

I’m not sure what I would have told myself 5 years ago… I think I’m pretty close to where I expected, maybe be a little more consistent. But maybe 5 years from now… I’ll tell myself to slow down a little more—don’t be too success driven.