We had the good fortune of connecting with Morgan Mattson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Morgan, why did you pursue a creative career?
An artistic life path made the most sense to me when I was young. As amazing as making the big bucks sounded, I couldn’t let myself be pushed into a line of work that I didn’t find delightful every day. I chose art education as a way to ensure that I would make some sort of steady income while still having fun. My mother is an educator as well so it seemed like a familiar fit to jump to teaching. The school that I teach at has been so supportive by letting me start a ceramics program from the ground up and then letting me use the facilities when needed. This way I get to teach full time but I have the ability to create my own line of work at the same time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Each piece of art that I create is to be fun and functional. I want my pots to bring people joy and be used in their daily lives. The point of making for me is to enhance my customer’s life in some small way. I do this by creating interesting forms and thoughtful surface design on my pots. Ceramics is not an easy form of art. There are a lot of ups and downs. Cracks can form, a pot can break, designs can fail, people don’t want to spend the money on the final outcome. The main way that I overcome these many challenges is by being positive and practicing. Practice does not make perfect, but it makes my pots better. Positivity is a motivator for me to overlook critical customers or cracks from drying a pot to fast. The better pots will come and the right buyers will appreciate what I am here to do!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have so many places that I love in the Greenville area. Let’s start with landmarks! I would obviously take them to the Falls Park Bridge where my husband and I got engaged. Then we would stroll down Main Street window shopping and maybe looking for Mice on Main. We would probably stop by the Grand Bohemian Lodge to look through the gallery of artists. I would then swing by Methodical for a tres leches (hot of course). Once we have worked up an appetite, we would go one of two ways: If we stay downtown, we would go to Swordfish Cocktail Club for some beautifully made drinks and a charcuterie board followed by dinner at the Trappe Door. If we go to the West End instead we would get drinks and apps at Bar Margaret followed by dinner at The Anchorage. Overall a nice way to spend a day in Greenville!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband Jesse is easily my biggest supporter. He helps me set up and tear down every show. He is my full time cheerleader when I get upset at my progress as an artist. He constantly listens to me complain when something goes wrong in the studio. Honestly, I do not know where my business would be without his constant support.

Website: www.morganmattsonceramics.com

Instagram: @morganmattsonceramics

Facebook: @morganmattsonceramics

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.