A unifying thread in my work is the exploration of pattern as ordered chaos on my surfaces, constructing layer upon layer of colorful spinning circles, flipping flowers, meandering vines, industrial grids, and geometric planes. Red clay as the skin of the pot provides a richness and depth to the layers of surface that I build up with resists, underglaze, and multiple firings. The layering of touch, memory, and color in my process build upon a deep connection to the fluidity of my identity, while at the same time a conduit for connecting to my Cherokee and African American ancestry. Sharing this love for clay both as an artist and educator allows me to nurture a love of the arts, history, and of the handmade in myself and others.
Adero Willard is a studio potter in Western Massachusetts and professor of ceramics at Holyoke Community College. Adero received a Bachelors in Fine Art at Alfred University in 1995 and Masters of Fine Arts at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in 2006. She completed a Salad Days residency from 2007- 2008 at Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts. She has shown in a number of galleries nationally, and her work is featured in a number of publications and books on ceramics. Adero’s interest in surface decoration is lifelong, and is fueled by a passion for textile design, painting, and collage.