My name is Adam Nelson-Ockenfels, I am a BFA student at the University of Iowa, and I specialize in thrown functional ware. After teaching Middle School Social Studies for several years, I went back to the University of Iowa to get my endorsement to teach art. I originally emphasized in photography up until my first ceramics class a little over a year ago. After my first ceramics class I was absolutely hooked. I changed my emphasis to ceramics and added the entire ceramic BFA class regiment to my schooling. Once I started throwing more seriously, I began to especially fall in love with making vases and mugs. We always had flowers and coffee in my home growing up and I think some nostalgic connection within me just latched onto those two forms in ceramics. Although mugs are exceptionally functional, they are also so intimate and full of memories in their own ways. It’s a vessel that someone’s hands touch every day, multiple times a day, while they do the most routine tasks or make life altering decisions. Vases may not be directly handled as much as mugs but they themselves can be exceptionally beautiful and full of direct/implicit messages. They can hold flowers or other cherished items and even without anything in a vase, the vessel itself can lighten a room. My goal is ultimately to collaborate with clients in order to make custom work for cherished people and treasured homes.