What challenges have you faced or even compromises you’ve had to make as a craft artist?

Jessica: I'm super lucky to have my parents supporting my education which I know isn't the same for many of my peers. Honestly the biggest compromises would be not being in the studio for as long as I need or want because of my body physically having to stop. Fatigue and body aches are huge in craft.

Mya: I do not learn and pick up things as easily as most people do, and keeping up has been my biggest challenge while I’ve been here.

Jeah: In a weak and cowardly way, I’ve found myself not making work about my culture. Due to lack of connections in the studio or building who knew of or understood my culture, I find myself not talking about it as often despite knowing there are people who would listen and find a connection. Don’t get me wrong, I love my culture and I love talking about it when I do get the chance. I grew up in an area with a large Filipino community, so when coming here, I’ve felt deprived and out-of-place in sharing that Filipino connection. I’ve come to an understanding, however, that as much as I want to make work about my culture, I don’t want to make it in an area for it to be criticized and graded. Work about my culture would be made for myself and as an ode to the Philippines away from any critique or unwanted opinions.

Yve: Within the few craft spaces I've been in, the biggest struggles I've faced fall within the fact that most, if not all pieces of equipment that have been standardized quite a few sizes too large for the average woman, and therefore do not work well for me. Each tool needs to be studied and practiced to find a method of use convenient enough to work. As a glassblower I am very lucky in the aspect of that being my main struggle, as it is still a very white male dominated field, as sexism and racism still run rampant in many other institutions throughout the world.

Liana: I’ve had work plagiarized by a white peer, I’ve been disrespected by professors about my race, I’ve had to stay quiet when I’ve wanted to be vocal.

Maria: I cannot stress enough how taxing craft is on the body. I’ve had to completely leave behind certain techniques and materials just because it was too much strain on certain parts of my body.