Volunteer Spotlight: Ingrid Tabi
Volunteers are an essential part of the Clay Art Center community - we couldn’t do what we do without them! Meet one of our amazing volunteers, Ingrid Tabi, and learn more about her story.
Volunteers help to make events, classes, and day-to-day activities a success here at Clay Art Center. They make special events like our annual benefit, gallery openings, and pottery sales go off without a hitch during planning and on the day of the event, organize and maintain our studio spaces, and unload and transport student work from kilns to shelves. One of those volunteers, Ingrid Tabi, has been involved with Clay Art Center for more than 20 years. If you’ve enjoyed a Gallery opening reception here at Clay Art Center, you’ve probably been welcomed or helped by Ingrid at some point!
Ingrid grew up in a small village in Hungary, where she remembers spending summers learning to preserve food, weave baskets, carve wood, sew, make candles, and shape pottery. These summers have been a lasting inspiration for Ingrid, who shares that she, “was fascinated by the process of making - captivated by materials, textures, shapes, colors, and the purpose behind each creation. Even then, I dreamed of a life where I could make everything I needed with my own hands. In many ways, that dream has become my reality, and I love that I now have the ability to create functional pieces that are both beautiful and useful.” From this early creative start, Ingrid has been committed to working with clay since her college days, and she has made potter professionally and taught classes.
For Ingrid, ceramics is the perfect balance of creativity and process. When asked what she loves most about clay, Ingrid had this to share: “There’s something satisfying about shaping clay and seeing it transform through each stage. It’s a blend of patience, control, and surprise - it’s never exactly what you expect, but that’s part of the beauty of it. The constant learning and discovery keep me coming back, as well as the sense of connection I feel when I create something with my hands. There’s also something inspiring about how ceramics celebrate wabi-sabi - the beauty in imperfection. A glaze that runs, a pot that’s slightly asymmetrical, a surface with fingerprints or tool marks… all of it adds character.” Ingrid also noted that clay is a humbling medium, and that it’s wise to not get too attached to the first pieces, and to just enjoy the process and learning new things. She added, “Sometimes the most freeing thing is smashing a piece that didn’t work.”
Working with clay demands mindfulness. You can’t rush it. The process forces you to slow down, to be present, to adapt when things crack, sag, or collapse. It’s humbling, too. You’ll make plenty of mistakes, but sometimes they make the piece even better. And most of them you can’t fix. But weirdly, that’s part of the magic. Sometimes the “oops” moments turn out cooler than what you planned.
- Ingrid Tabi
Whether just starting out or experimenting with something new, it’s always helpful to be surrounded by a community that cheers you on. According to Ingrid, it’s the people in the Clay Art Center community that are her favorite part. She says, “There's this great mix of talent, kindness; it seems like a very supportive group. Whether you’re just starting or have been working with clay for years, there’s always someone to learn from or bounce ideas off. It’s a great place to feel connected and inspired.” This is what keeps Ingrid coming back to volunteer as well - being a part of something meaningful while surrounded by others who care just as much as she does. And, Ingrid notes, “It’s just fun! I always leave feeling energized and glad I showed up.” We’re so glad Ingrid shows up for Clay Art Center as well!
Are you interested in volunteering? You can learn more about our volunteer opportunities here.