Jennie Tang
Owner
The Workshop Mpls
Minneapolis, MN USA
“Find the things that light your fire and surround yourself with people who feel the same way.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationJennie Tang
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
When I was 11 years old, we moved from Nashville, Tennessee, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to live with my grandmother after my parents divorced.
My grandmother urged us to figure out ways to get involved with things—I had happened to see someone throw pottery and was immediately transfixed by it.
I spent all the time I could outside of school being creative, and clay was my favorite medium.
I didn’t expect to go to school for ceramics but ultimately did end up going down that route.
I’ve since worked hard to take any opportunity presented to me to gain skills and find success in ceramics.
I started with a studio in my home but decided to look for a studio space outside my home when my youngest child went to kindergarten.
I launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund my studio—it was funded within one weekend!
I now own The Workshop MPLS, a pottery studio that is welcoming and accessible to all people of all skill levels.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Owner
I own a pottery studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Art
Entrepreneurship
Building Things
Day to Day
I start by throwing a piece of clay, which is the process of forming it on the wheel. After it dries, it goes through the trimming process, where it's tidied up. That's where I'll add things like handles or knobs. I also paint and carve almost everything that I make. It then dries out completely and then goes into the kiln for its first firing. After it cools, then it's glazed and fired again. Outside of making pottery, I also work to create access for all people to work in this creative space.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Ask questions and network with people. Artists are very passionate about their work and therefore love sharing it with others. All you have to do is express interest in an artist's work and they'll be happy to introduce you to it.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"Art is not an acceptable career path."
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