One of the markers of a really good art show are the number of artists who come to town from out of town – Kansas, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina.
Well, you get the picture. (Pun intended.)
But of the approximately 120 artists that will be showing off their work at Arts Beats & Eats in Downtown Royal Oak this weekend, many of them are from right here in town like ceramic artist Alice Ham, who lives in Berkley. Her work, mostly in ceramics first caught my eye while shopping at Yellow Door Art Market in Berkley. It’s colorful, fun and kicky stuff that’s extremely affordable. In other words, it’s a much better value and has so much more personality than picking up something to add some personality and oomph to a room than something mass-produced a big box retail home furnishing store. Plus, there’s the benefit of supporting a local artist.
The folks at Yellow Door Art Market think so much of her work that they named her an Artist of the Week last year. Here’s their write-up …
Artist of the Week Alice Ham
Meet Alice Ham of Berkley, MI, the creative gal behind Contemporary Designs in Clay. Alice grew up doing art shows with her mom. When she went to college, she said, “I’ll never do art shows and be a gypsy.” Then she apprenticed for a potter for eight years and fell in love with the clay, and now she’s been displaying her art at up to 30 art shows a 
year for the past 20 years!
Alice’s work is hand-built from white stoneware. She uses several different embossing techniques to create an incised surface texture. Each piece is then hand painted and low-fired. It is both functional and decorative.
What makes your artwork unique or distinctive?
I take mostly functional pottery and put a 
contemporary spin on it. An example would be: a run of the mill mug, but first I drop it on the floor to make it look smashed or asymmetrical, then finish it so one can use it.
What inspired you to start creating your artwork & how did you turn it into a business?
My mom inspired me to be creative, across the board in my thinking and in my work. After going to three different 
colleges for Art, and finishing none, I branched out on my own.
What do you love most about the creative process?
I’m very methodical and I like to count things (Mathematics minor). Plus, I like being alone. Not that I don’t like people–I love them!
What do you remember wanting to be when you grew up?
A costume designer or a locksmith.
Any other trivia you’d like to share about yourself?
My big brush with fame is: Keanu Reeves slept in my bed when I was 12. He was on my brother’s hockey team and I had to stay at my friend’s house that week.
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