_{Jessica Archibeque is an Albuquerque native who has taken her pursuit of ceramics into the creation of a community studio.} 

How did you first get interested in clay?

_{My journey with ceramics started in high school here in Albuquerque. A close friend encouraged me to sign up for a ceramics class with them. I had planned to take a different elective, but that one decision ended up changing the course of my life. At a time when I really needed it, ceramics gave me confidence and a sense of purpose, and it’s been a constant source of curiosity and joy ever since.}

_{Describe your studio:}

_{“Cerámica” is a community-focused pottery studio in Albuquerque offering classes, workshops, and memberships—including 24-hour access options to fit a variety of lifestyles. We welcome everyone from beginners to more experienced potters, with offerings that include intro classes, continuing courses, and a wide variety of workshops.}

_{Our workshops range from casual, community-building experiences to advanced sessions led by visiting artists from both in and out of state.}

_{Inspired by the philosophy of Wabi-sabi and the art of Kintsugi, we believe in celebrating imperfection and finding meaning in the making process. My husband and I built Cerámica as a space to connect, grow, and create alongside others, where the cracks tell the story and the process is just as important as the final piece.}

Tile letters for her studio. Photo by the artist.

_{Describe your “work.”}

_{My ceramic practice is rooted in storytelling, craftsmanship, and an ongoing curiosity about the natural world—both within and around us. I began as a handbuilder and sculptor, later expanding my practice through the Arita Porcelain program at UNM, where I developed technical skill on the wheel. My background in toy design also plays a significant role in my approach, where narrative, character, and concept drive form and function.}

_{I’m deeply drawn to process shifting between sculptural and functional work, and grounding exploration in strong technique. My pieces often blend ornamental detail with utility, using textures, botanical forms, and animal motifs to explore the dualities of beauty and danger, desire and consequence. Bees, spiders, and other "don't-touch-me" creatures recur in my work, serving as both literal and metaphorical references.}

_{Themes of human nature, addiction, and entrapment surface throughout my work—not always overtly, but as undercurrents. I’m interested in that seductive edge where sweetness becomes rot, where what we crave might be our undoing. I see clay as a powerful medium for holding those tensions—between polish and imperfection, indulgence and restraint, the tactile and the conceptual.}

_{Ultimately, I make to connect—with material, with process, and with others. For me, the act of creating is just as meaningful as the result.}

 

“Lotus Eater” and detail by Jessica Archibeque. Photo by the artist.

“Tall Poppy” by Jessica Archibeque. Photo by the artist.

 

"Dulce Muerte" and detail by Jessica Archibeque. Photo by the artist. 

"Untitled" by Jessica Archibeque. Photo by the artist. 

_{Describe any work you do that promotes “clay community."}

_{At Cerámica, I aim to create an inclusive space where both beginners and experienced artists feel welcome to explore, ask questions, and continue learning regardless of skill level.} 

_{To support continued growth in our community, we offer accessible workshops that range from casual, community-building events to advanced sessions led by both local and visiting artists.} 

_{As we continue to grow, we’re committed to expanding access by offering sliding scale pricing, & payment plans. We also plan to establish sponsorships for kids’ classes and families who may not otherwise be able to participate. Ceramics can feel intimidating or financially out of reach, and part of our mission is to bridge that gap—making clay more approachable and available to all.}

_{When you are not working in your studio, what do you enjoy?}

_{I’m currently taking woodworking classes and have been learning bonsai alongside my husband. That led me to discover suiseki—a Japanese art form centered around the appreciation of naturally occurring stones—which feels like a perfect intersection of geology, design, and aesthetic presentation. I hope to one day pair a suiseki stone with a hand-carved wooden base using my own woodworking skills.}

_{I also enjoy flower arranging, taking care of my small collection of carnivorous plants, and spending time outdoors whenever I can.} 

_{Lately, I’ve become more interested in rock collecting and identification—something about the quiet complexity of stones really speaks to me.}

_{Do you play music in your studio? If yes, what do you listen to?}

_{I have a studio playlist! Mostly songs that most people know. But If I’m by myself I listen to a large range. Tears for Fears, System of a Down, & lots of Pop for example!}

 

_{What other pottery do you have in your home?}

_{The pottery I own in my home is a melody of other artists I adore. I love to buy from artists I look up to. I have many pieces from many artists for inspiration.}

 

_{What caused you to join NMPCA? Describe involvement with NMPCA, and how many years you have been involved.}

_{I joined after meeting a member at a workshop at New Mexico Clay and wanted to get involved. I’m brand new to NMPCA, I lived out of state and just moved back in August, so I’m happy to jump back into the community and help any way I can. Clay people are the best people and have appreciated the warm welcome and kindness from NMPCA.}  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet the Member: Jessica Archibeque. Photo by the artist. 

To find out more about Cerámica, visit: https://www.ceramicaabq.com