Meet Kazia Ginsberg | Potter and Progressive Educator

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

Hi Kazia, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Well, I’m very driven by my mood and energy level – which can be hard as a creator who works as a full time teacher otherwise! My feeling is that I do this first and foremost for myself. I find pleasure in the act of creating and there is a different pleasure had by seeing something through to completion. Pottery has so many layers during the process, that I experience many different avenues of joy, as well as invigorating challenge. Ultimately, I do it for the fun and for the creative outlet it provides for me. If others can appreciate or take pleasure in my work, it makes it that much better.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
How did I get to where I am “professionally”!? That is exciting to even hear. “Professionally!” Okay, so I am actually a full time elementary school teacher. I love teaching, and I love the way children think. Being open and curious has always been a value of mine, and I see that lived out every day with children. They follow their instincts, they make mistakes, they know what feels good. That reminder to live life chasing what feels good to my soul is what drove me to try taking pottery classes in my free time. Once I started I fell in love. It is harder than it looks, but it is so so satisfying! To create something that came from the earth, that can become functional AND have some personality is just so cool. I started by learning basic skills and understanding the process of working with clay, then truly, just played around from there. I find success in the process for myself and the joy it brings me, but I first found success with others when I started making little ceramic ghosts around Halloween – my favorite holiday. My friends and family seemed to love them, and that brought me so much joy. Now, I have people asking ahead for next year. Also, a friend of mine who owns a delicious Brazilian dessert shop (Shoutout to Maya’s Brigadeiros in Sherman Oaks!) started doing neighborhood pop ups and invited me to be a vendor. She was the first person who reached out to me in this way, and it has been an incredible experience selling my work alongside her and other awesome local vendors.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is hard! I’m such a homebody! Buuut, I love being out in nature. And, I’m a religious coffee drinker. So, first, we’d get some coffee and delicious pastries from my daughter and my favorite coffee shop in the valley, Coffee Fix in Studio City. Then, we’d go on a hike. There’s so many great hiking places around Los Angeles that’s hard to choose. Maybe a new one each day?! Okay, I will say, it’s about an hour drive from the valley, but Vasquez Rocks will always be one of my all time favorites. So beautiful and it feels like I’m on another planet. I love it. And, we’d have to eat some Mexican Food! Tacos and Burritos! Las Fuentes, Cactus Tacos, and Hugo’s Tacos are regular favorites. And we would have to spend time at the beach. I don’t care what the weather is. Wear your suit and pack a sweater just in case, we’re heading to Zuma Beach! And lastly, I love comedy. Going to see live stand up is a good call in my opinion. Drinks and jokes!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This shoutout really goes to my mom. She and my dad are creatives who are always finding the beauty in the world and the ability to see potential. My mom worked with clay as I was growing up and as a youngster, and at that time I was just not that interested. Now as an adult, in the last 5 years or so, a yearning to “play” with clay arose in me. I decided to ask my mom if she wanted to take a class together. I saw it as a way to bond and acknowledge her desire she always seemed to have to include me in the joy she experienced with clay. I fell in love instantly. I haven’t stopped since. Thanks to my mom for being patient with me on my journey with clay!

Instagram: @bustedpottery

Image Credits
(all photos are mine)