Austin Snedden is a talented local ceramicist taking pieces of clay and thoughtfully turning them into beautiful and functional pieces of art. He was in the fourth grade the first time he had ever made pottery. It was a Japanese teacup pinch pot that the teacher fired using the raku method. (Raku is the Japanese method of firing pottery.) Although the teacup may be long gone, the monumental experience has stayed with him and shaped his life in ways he couldn’t have imagined.
Originally from Utica, Ohio, he appreciates a lot about his home state but was happy to leave and discover more of the world. “I wanted to study ceramics and professional bowling in college,” he explained. He ended up getting a scholarship for bowling at the University of Pikeville in southeast Kentucky and dropping ceramics. He went to school for a year and then transferred to Florida.
Although his original goal was to come to Florida to train for bowling, his parents encouraged him to study business as something to fall back on. Which he is thankful for now. “Especially for what I’m doing right now. I have a very different perspective than a lot of artists have. I bring a business background and a marketing and sales background, and I can intertwine that with my pottery.”
While studying business at Webber International University, he continued to train for bowling. He wanted to go to school in Babson Park because they have the best bowling program in the country, explaining that there is a powerhouse of bowlers in central Florida. “Out of all of the top bowlers in the world, there’s easily 15 of them living in Polk County.” If that wasn’t enough, Austin met his now-husband, Stuart, who also bowled and ironically also interviewed at Pike in Kentucky. It was only a matter of time before they met.
After years of difficult training, Austin decided to let it go. “Bowling used to be my outlet, but I didn’t realize it was causing me a lot more stress than good, which is why I stopped.” The level at which he was working out and practicing was no longer bringing joy.
At this point, he stopped doing both ceramics and bowling but had a successful career in corporate sales and marketing. Unfortunately, his mental health was declining. He left the corporate world behind and was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) shortly after. He couldn’t drive. He wouldn’t leave his house. He wouldn’t get into a car. The OCD was debilitating.
One of the greatest things he learned at Webber was the concept of constant learning. “We should be constantly learning either about ourselves or other people and getting out of our own backyard. I know people are scared. I get that. There are things I’m scared of, but I have to challenge that.”
With the help of therapy and a very supportive family, he found the strength to step outside of his house and reclaim some independence. And more importantly, begin ceramics again. Austin learned about the Ridge Art Association and started volunteering just to get involved. One thing led to another, and he was offered a space to use as a pottery studio to begin teaching classes. “I’m excited for it. When Ridge asked me to do it, I thought I have no business doing this; I’ve just started doing this again a year ago.” He thought maybe five years down the road for a studio, but five turned into now. Austin talks to his therapist about Imposter Syndrome, it can be his worst enemy or his best friend at times. He explains that he moves differently because of that, more gracefully. Ceramics helped to bring him out of his darkest place, so this studio will represent the most authentic version of himself, which in turn has led him to meet more authentic people. “I’ve been in therapy for so long, I feel like I have something to offer people, which is a safe space for people to talk about whatever they want,” he said. He dreams of one day incorporating mental health into the studio in terms of art therapy. He would love to be able to give access to those needing help.
“I’m from Utica, Ohio. There were cornfields in a very rural area. I did not belong there. Basically, I’ve spent my whole life figuring out where I belong. I’ve decided that there are a lot of people that don’t want me to ‘sit at their table’ so I’m making my own table and anyone that wants to come to my table can come, as long as you’re a good person.”
Austin will offer classes, date nights, memberships, and lots of other hands-on opportunities. Accessibility is very important to him, he wants to keep the prices down, not just for classes but for his finished work. “What’s the point if everyone can’t enjoy it?” Austin is getting the help and advice of Tommy Frank at the Lake Wales Arts Council on different ways to collaborate with the goal of making Polk County a powerhouse of ceramics.
Asked if he would like to thank anyone, he quickly answered Kathy Lorenz, his high school art teacher. “I would like to think that everyone has a teacher that they can look back on and say they have changed their life. Kathy Lorenz is mine. It was the first place where I was congratulated on really good work but also picked apart a bit, and I liked that. She had respect for what she did, and she wanted her students to be good. She taught me how to be kinder with how you say things.”
“I’d like to thank my husband, for sure.” “I had this crazy idea to do pottery full-time, and he said do it. It’s the first time somebody has told me to do that.” Stuart’s support allows Austin to focus on work. “Stuart is a very special person. I am the luckiest,” he continued, “I’m very lucky to have a very supportive family of my own and to have his family.”
This year, Austin’s challenging himself to do more fine art pieces that he can take to shows. Classes begin this month at the Ridge Art Association. Follow him on IG & FB @austinsneddenceramics for more information on classes, studio time, and where to find his pottery.
210 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven
Facebook @austinsneddenceramics
Instagram @austinsneddenceramics
Photography by Amy Sexson
