Meet Zofi Lipton | Ceramicist and Owner of Bushwick Ceramics

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

Hi Zofi, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I opened Bushwick Ceramics, because I wanted to open my creative space to others; share not only the space but also ideas, techniques, opinions, etc.

I wanted all of us to feed off of each-other’s creative energy. My vision was and still is to create a space that welcomes everyone, no matter where they come from and what skill level they are at. I wanted to invite others to an artist community that we all can create together.

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.
I have always been constantly making things. Clay was my first love. I started ceramics in Warsaw when I was 8. I was the youngest in an adult ceramics studio. When I came to US, I didn’t have an access to a pottery studio for a long time. I also didn’t speak any English. Art was a huge help in crossing language barriers and helped me tell people who I was. I chose to study textile design because my dad believed that I could never make a living as an artist. I worked in the textile industry for 15 years, though it never fulfilled me. Even after I learned display design, styling and floral design, my heart was always with clay.
It was a long journey, but I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The city has changed so much. Many of my favorite spots are gone now, but there is always something new and exciting.

When my mom visits me from Warsaw, I like to show her all my little secret spots: little bookstores which I treat a bit like libraries, often not being able to afford all the art books I would love to have…

I love sitting and sipping Chai at The Chai Spot; picking up notecards for my friends as East Village Postal (I like to surprise them with snail-mail once in a while); getting my nails done at Cutie Calls because I just can’t get over the punny name.

I love all the colors at Beads of Paradise, a natural stone and bead shop in Flatiron.

And always always love Chinatown!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to my wonderful husband, Adam Lipton, an amazing designer and painter, who is always curious, always growing and not afraid of the world!

Website: https://www.bushwickceramics.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bushwickceramics/

Other: my ceramics: https://www.instagram.com/zofi_and_clay/

my foral work: https://www.instagram.com/pistilnyc/