Hi! My name is Jam and I am an interdisciplinary artist currently obsessed with making pottery. After graduating from the Alberta University of the Arts with a BFA in drawing and minoring in ceramics, I now practice in amiskwaciwâskahikan ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ/ Edmonton.

My pottery is a functionality-driven embodiment of my desire to find joy and whimsy in all parts of life, and features hand-drawn, carved, and intricately glazed surfaces in a variety of forms which prioritize the user’s experience (lightweight, ergonomic shapes that feel as inviting and fun as they look). All of my pieces play with vibrant colour palettes drawn from the natural world and imagery which represents what is currently bringing me the most joy (my cats, flowers, butterflies, sunshine, and whatever else calls to me in the moment), in combination with my meditative drawing practice which revolves around the repetitive use of a spiral motif.  I have named my business jamswirled after my love for this motif, and as a playful invitation to the public to take a step into my world. Being neurodivergent, the repetitive use of the swirl has become not only a special interest of mine (in terms of noticing spirals in all their forms throughout the world and finding new ways to introduce them into my work) but also as a grounding practice! They represent my healing journey with my own mental health and how every day is not only a chance to try again but also to come back around to situations from a new perspective and to keep learning and growing from them in new ways. I love connecting over this sentiment with the lovely people who purchase my work and seeing how my intentions to live a life full of joy and whimsy can be passionately translated into pieces that invite those same sentiments to others’ every day moments.

When I am not in the studio making things you can find me teaching workshops at Planted Earth Studios, working/teaching at Studio 72, vending at local markets or hanging out with my partner and our cat babies.