Chancellor's Commission

It has been years since I have written for the people who are interested in my work. But here I am, and I hope to use this outlet more often in the near future to talk you through whats going on in my life as a potter! So here is what is going on:

In May 2019, I received an email that has changed my life and the trajectory of my career. I had no idea that the office of the Chancellor at Arkansas had sent out a commission proposition for the holiday gifts to donors, sent out by Dr. Steinmetz and his family. Little did I know, this opportunity was open to anyone in the University's School of Art - including the faculty - and my name was thrown in the mix. I am so grateful to Mathew McConnell and others in the ceramics program, who proposed my work for the job.

"Subject: Commission Opportunity"

As soon as I received this email from Mathew, I read it about 5 times over and responded within two minutes with a resounding YES! Eventually I met with Mathew to talk about my proposal, my career path, GeorgiaMud and my time in the School of art. I admitted that my time in the art program here has a challenge, and I had no idea how interested they were in my work. I was showered in praise and encouragement, honestly skipping away with tears of joy in my eyes when I left. I wrote in the notes on my phone some of the things he said, that I just never wanted to forget:

"He told me that I make some of the most consistently beautiful, technically sound pots that have come from an undergrad student in years. He told me Arkansas wants to help push me forward into the professional art world, and to have a National standing is an attainable goal for me. He also so kindly apologized that our curriculum is not built with production pottery in mind, but they are excited to help me whenever they can."

-- Most importantly (to me), he said that I have found the line between conceptually strong Fine Art, and work that has appeal to the non-artistic market. This is my goal as an artist, that my pottery will reach higher than mere craft, that my work will have its place in galleries as well as on every day kitchen tables. --

I am one of the only production potters in our program. The truth is that this School of Art is incredibly conceptually strong, with major emphasis on sculpture, and creative thinking. This has been an incredible challenge for the functional potter. I absolutely would never change my decision to study ceramics at Arkansas, and I am astonished at the way my eyes have been opened to the whole world of Fine Arts. The past three years have been a struggle with so many ups and downs, but the fact that I am passionate about pottery has never changed. Praise be to God for giving me such a direct call, such a specific talent, to make work that honors Him and send it out into a broken world with a redemption story in mind. Some might think it's silly to be so passionate about a cup or a mug or a bowl, but the story of the Gospel is in each piece and my ultimate desire is that this story be heard.

The Chancellor's Commission will be sent out to so many people that spread all over the country, to big corporate tycoons, Arkansas Alumni, and all types of people. They will also receive my story, my name, and all my information. My hope is that, after December, these folks will start getting back to me and my career as a potter will really start to take off. I couldn't have planned it better myself with the timing of my graduation in December. It's going to be a wild ride!

Thanks for reading,

Georgia Peeler