Glimpsing Through and Komorebi Scattered Light

Jessica Sanders

Jessica Sanders is a ceramic artist based in Tyler, Texas. Her flexible sculptures are composed of ceramic pieces wired together to allow movement. Sanders holds an Associate of Arts from Tyler Junior College (2015), a BFA from the University of Texas at Tyler (2017), and both an MFA and MA from the same institution (2020). She works out of InBetween Studios in Tyler and is a member of The ASGs, a four-woman ceramic collective. Additionally, she founded *ArtShare Zine*. Her recent exhibitions include a solo show at Kilgore College, *Out of the Fire* at Love Texas Art in Fort Worth, and *Patterned Rituals* at Janette Kennedy Gallery in Dallas.

Clay plays a central role in Sanders’ work for its durability and the concept of vitrification. Clay begins as a malleable material that becomes solid and unchangeable after firing. While it can be broken, it cannot be reshaped, making her ability to create moveable ceramic pieces all the more compelling.

Paula McDermott

Paula McDermott is a mixed media artist based in East Texas, specializing in intuitive sculptures and installations using ceramics, fibers, and found objects. Her work is deeply influenced by a lifelong passion for art, nature, and exploration. From microscopic flora and fauna to the vastness of the universe, McDermott draws inspiration from the contrasts and conflicts between the natural and unnatural worlds, particularly the ocean and forests, which she has spent countless hours exploring and meditating within.

Her art reflects a tactile connection to the earth, with organic forms that embody the beauty of natural patterns, textures, and landscapes. When she’s not in the studio, McDermott can be found teaching ceramics or spending time outdoors, always seeking new sources of inspiration.