Article 9 - AMT Ceramics' 3rd Anniversary: Metamorphosis, an AMT’s perspective.

AM Trajeco - AMT Ceramic Studio Founder

Three (3) years have passed - October 2021 and as I lookback, I started to put up my art studio at my own family home with only one (1) student and handled my classes all by myself. Time has elapsed so fast that the studio has grown six (6) dedicated ceramic artists to man the AMTeam at present.

Every time I am being asked when or how it started, I couldn’t grasp in my mind how it actually began. To this moment, let me reflect and share some core memories how I got here:

Year 2015 when I decided to quit my corporate job and this discernment wasn’t easy for me. I understand that not all of us are blessed with the luxury of life come at age of 35. I maybe equipped of experience, but I felt that wasn’t enough to thrive for the rest of my life. I am a Fine Arts graduate from a university but what I was doing was not aligned with my academic preparation. More so, I always dreamed to do it on my own terms, pace and time. I did my best like everyone else to climb to the corporate ladder, but I realized after several attempts that all my efforts were futile as I was placed in the wrong environment.

I’ve given myself about a year to figure out what I really wanted to do in terms of what kind of art or medium to practice, and the process entailed in it, etc. only to boil down to starting anew, which brought more feelings of regret day by day, until gradually I got to the art scene and went with the natural flow of events.

After a decade of stagnation, my first trial to use my talent in art was on cake decorating. Without anyone knowing it, I took fundamentals in pastry arts in a school along Katipunan, which I found great as a start-up. I put up my online pastry shop but my venture into it didn’t flourish - I must admit I wasn’t ready. I had enough savings at that time after quitting but was gradually depleting, together with my hope and confidence. I wasn’t aware what lies ahead of me,and I started to question myself as well as my purpose – these made me so much depressed and pushed hard on my capacity as a person.  Until luckily, I happened to bump over a very good friend and courageously asked favor from her if she could accommodate me as an apprentice in her photography studio. It was a desperate move on my part, but I didn’t care. That burning desire to make things happen favorably in my life was a big challenge to face, and this is the time I have to do NOW, if not now, then when?  

Yes! Photography is my first love, where I know I’m good at it in my own way, even during my college days in UPCFA. With the very strong words coming from my friend saying,“let’s start tomorrow, come to my studio”,  without much hesitation, I proceeded to see her the following day with the promise to myself  that I won’t waste this chance. Ria Regino was a blessing to me for her compassion and helping hand to go back to the world of art. She’s one of those who honed me for being “Me” as an artist for which am enormously grateful for. Her gesture of friendship gave me a great lesson in life which exemplifies “giving unconditionally”. The chance she gave me opened me again to bounce back and embrace life as I was striking again at age 36. Age doesn’t define us on what we can do, what more with the passion on things that make us happy, inspired and fulfilled.

Two (2) years later, I decided to go back to Fine Arts to pursue my Bachelor’s degree, and yes! I sucked it all up - my ego and my pride, to finish the remaining one (1) year and graduated my BFA at the age of 37. This is where I found my medium, CLAY. During my thesis writing with Sir To Austria, I found out that it’s being offered in UPCFA Ceramics Studio. After completing my extension program with Ella Mendoza on Basic Wheel-Throwing, I know that’s the medium I was looking for. I went thru the application process and was accepted by Prof. Rita Gudino, the Faculty  Coordinator during that time to be an apprentice at the same studio. Later on, I was recommended to take the UPCFA International Linkage Program in Kanayama Pottery Aomori-Japan.

Tsugaru Kanayamayaki - AM Trajeco with Kamamoto - Ryoji Matsumiya

With strong determination and pure intention of pursuing my passion, I’ve completed my two- (2) year apprenticeship under the guidance of my sensei, Ryoji Matsumiya. I can say that all of my knowledge and techniques that I’m using right now in my studio are from my sensei’s influence. Sensei Ryoji , my mentor and friend,  had been generous and supportive in my desire to  enhance my craft; and the prime mover in many aspects of my capabilities in the field of ceramic art. Giving thanks wouldn’t be enough to the gargantuan role impacted on me being my sensei on my Life as an artist, arigato gozaimasu, Sensei!

AMTeam - Studio Instructors: Hazel, Abee, Kaye & Dii

Now that we’re on our 3rd year, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the key people that made this journey possible, and enjoyable, yet very challenging. I know it’s molding me to be the best version of myself; clay changed me in a lot of ways; made me more grounded, forgiving, and mindful especially in our environment and community; enable me to acknowledge life at the moment, and finally lead me to my spiritual awakening. Thank you for giving me this chance to prove my worth and for being purposeful in everything I do in my immediate surrounding.

As the founder of AMT Ceramic Studio, I would like to personally invite you to our studio and show you the community that we’ve created. I’m very proud of my AMTeam and to the students of the studio who are now making waves in ceramic industry. I hope we’ve instilled good values and ethics in working together to achieve a common goal - in inspiring each other and spreading awareness that Pottery is alive in the Philippines. It’s young and emerging indeed, but I have a very strong faith that we’ll get there in every way possible.

Here are the programme lists that you’ll be expecting on October 27, 2024. Our studio will be opened by 9AM and Closing by 9PM.

Clay Conversations with our line up of Ceramic Artists & practitioner (RSVP)

• Ella Mendoza: Notes on Exhibition Practice & Management
• Marco Rosario: Best Practices for Accepting Custom-made & Mass Production
• Jezzel Wee: Career Path Exploration as an Educator in Workshops and in Academe

 

Pottery Retreat by Liz Ranola & AMT Ceramics: An Expressive Arts Exhibit

Coffee Bar and Pastries

Ceramics Sale & Trade Table (Bring your works!)

Community Potluck Dinner (Bring food, drinks, or dessert)

Our studio has limited space and we’d appreciate for you to RSVP or book your visit thru our website: www.amtceramics.com We hope to see you at the Studio!

 

RSVP Link: https://amtceramics.com/products/amt-3rd-anniversary-rsvp

Studio Visit Link: https://amtceramics.com/products/studio-visit

 

Written by AM Trajeco

Edited by MS Trajeco