Hi, I am Emma Terry! I am a Charlottesville-based ceramic artist, a teaching artist at City Clay, a member of Milkweed Clay Studio, and the Program & Communication Director for UVA Arts.

A lifelong maker, I discovered clay in 2023 and approach my work with a spirit of curiosity and joy, seeing play not as frivolity but as a pathway to discovery. My practice centers on creating sculptural and functional pieces that serve as vessels for wonder: shrines, portals, and whimsical companions that invite engagement, reflection, and delight.

Rooted in both storytelling and the tactile nature of clay, my work balances durability with imagination, favoring clean lines, lively glazes, and thoughtful hand-built details. Much of my process is guided by experimentation, as I explore new ways to shape, alter, and adorn my forms. I draw inspiration from the quiet magic of everyday objects and the fleeting beauty of the natural world. Through my pieces, I hope to share a spark of the same awe and playfulness that clay continues to bring me every day.