As our hands mold the clay on the wheel, so too are our lives shaped by the trials we face and the faith we hold dear. Morgan McCarver, a ceramic artist whose spine curves like the clay she sculpts, joined us to recount her transformation from a dancer sidelined by scoliosis to an artist and author whose work is an embodiment of resilience and reflection. Exchanging pirouettes for pottery, Morgan's journey is not just about adapting to life's harsh rhythms but about finding a symphony in the silence of the art studio, where each piece she crafts is a testament to the melding of her creative spirit with her steadfast faith.

Through the whirr of the potter's wheel and the silent prayers in church pews, Morgan shares how skepticism from others about her career choice in ceramics became the kiln in which her determination was fired. Balancing a business minor with her artistic aspirations, she forged a path that intertwined practicality with passion, proving that when guided by a higher calling, the practicality of our dreams need not be questioned. Her experiences, as varied as the glazes on her pottery, took her from customer service to teaching and writing, with a common thread of spirituality woven throughout.
    
Ending on a note that draws from the earth itself, Morgan's foray into teaching ceramics to a new generation is perhaps her most fulfilling work, imbuing young minds with the skills to shape the world in their own image. Her story is a reminder that embracing our creativity is more than an act of self-expression—it's a form of worship and an outreach that nourishes the community. Whether it's through the wildflower patterns etched into her pottery or the lessons she imparts to her students, Morgan's narrative is one of faith's capacity to sculpt a life as exquisite and enduring as the vessels she creates.

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Time Line
(00:00) Scoliosis Journey
(08:26) Finding Faith Through Adversity
(14:48) Artistic Faith and Pottery Journey
(25:42) Pottery Resurgence and Instruction Encouragement
(29:02) Symbolism of Pottery and Faith
(32:58) Balancing Faith, Art, and Youth Outreach
(40:17) Embracing Creativity


About Morgan McCarver

Morgan McCarver was born and raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Her work is inspired by her female mentors of past and present, as well as her connection to Victorian corsetry through her scoliosis journey. She received an art degree with a ceramics concentration and a double minor in art history and business in 2019 from Anderson University in Anderson, SC.

 McCarver had the honor of receiving the 2019 Outstanding Art Major Ceramics Award her senior year. As a 2020 701 Center for Contemporary Art prize finalist, she had the honor of being the youngest artist to ever make it that far. She is a multi-award winning artist who recently received an Artist Support Grant to attend a national ceramics conference. She has had the honor of displaying her work in 3 solo exhibitions, “FemininiTEA” 2020, “The Strength of a Wildflower” 2022 and “Postures in Porcelain” 2023.

She recently completed a residency at Edgewood Cottage in Blowing Rock Summer 2023 and participated 2022 as well. McCarver has studios in Asheville, NC and Spartanburg, SC. Her art can be found in various galleries around the Carolinas and Tennessee. Her first book, “God the Artist: Revealing God’s Creative Side Through Pottery,” will be released with Morgan James Publishing January 9, 2024.


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