Jackson Junge Gallery is excited to host their first ever mini exhibition, Pinch me, I'm dreaming, featuring the work of Chicago-based artist and educator Laura Williams (she/they). Williams’ brightly decorated ceramic pieces are hand-built using pinch and slab forming. Their forms explore narrative, process and play. Pinch me, I'm dreaming is an exhibition which celebrates creating. The process of pinching and forming clay, the meditative state we enter while we make, and the lifestyle that accompanies living creatively. The process of losing oneself in making feels like living in a dream.

Williams teaches ceramics locally at Lillstreet Art Center and Made Chicago, along with being a founder of the “Chicago Ceramics Crawl” a celebration of Chicago’s ceramic makers. They typically teach functional ceramics and have spent a lot of time making pieces for their community. But Williams challenged themselves to devote the new year to losing themselves in the process of creating. They wanted to explore different genres and make art just for themself. Reflecting on this time of creation, Willaims has said it’s been inspiring to move between pottery, drawing, and sculpture - “I can hide behind my pots, they feel safe. Drawing, on the other hand, feels more vulnerable! Sharing your inner monologue can be both validating and terrifying. It was helpful to stop thinking and start drawing. Low stakes, each line felt like a moment. If at the end the drawing was worth sharing, great and if not, great! It was play, just exploring what was on my mind at the time.”

Pinch me, I'm dreaming will feature many new ceramic sculptures inspired by Williams’ drawings. For Williams, “the drawings were a great springboard, when I wasn’t sure what to make next, I could flip through my sketchbook and see what images would translate well as a three-dimensional piece and off we went!” Jackson Junge Gallery and Laura Williams can’t wait to share this inspiring body of work with their community!

Join us Saturday, February 15th, 5-8pm for an opening reception which will coincide with Jackson Junge Gallery’s Valentines Pop-up from 12-8pm. Enjoy a Local Artisan Market featuring Laura Williams’ ceramics, Nancy Iida of heARTstudio’s heart jewelry, and Sajani Neeraja’s handmade gifts along with tarot card readings by Melissa DeCarlo. Refreshments will be provided in the evening. Both events are free and open to the public. The exhibition will be on view February 11th through March 9th, 2025. Pinch me, I'm dreaming is curated by Gallery Director Kaitlyn Miller and Assistant Gallery Director Kristen Arcus.