Creating is how I find peace — it quiets my mind and slows everything down. My joy is when that feeling travels through my work into others
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
My work is evolutionary. Whether at the wheel or stepping away, I'm always thinking of what's next — how to push further. My deepest connection lives in clay: combining multiple clay bodies in a single piece, carving to expose each layer, and discovering what each unique work becomes. Art, to me, is thinking outside every boundary to reveal something entirely new. My favorite creations are the challenges I set for myself.
Where do you find inspiration?Inspiration isn't something I chase. After a lifetime devoted to the craft, it finds me. When I return to the wheel, something remarkable happens — the deep comfort of mastery and the electricity of infinite possibility arrive together. Mastery doesn't narrow the possibilities; it opens them wider. I know enough now to attempt anything. Even as I throw, I am already envisioning the carving — what to reveal, what to honor.
What would you do with $25,000?The $25,000 would transform my home studio into a sanctuary — a dedicated space for my healing arts programming, offering comfort, peace, and freedom from distraction to those who need it most. Upgraded kiln, sinks, tables, stools, tools, a bathroom, and essential clay and glaze materials would make it fully operational. A portion would also fund my next creative frontier: the exploration of blown glass and clay — pushing boundaries the way art always should.
Vote for Nicole Jurain to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Register now for your opportunity to appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display your artwork at The Art of Elysium's Salon.
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