Ceramics Monthly: How have your experiences as a working ceramic artist of over 30 years, museum director, and business owner impacted your decision to run for mayor of Helena, Montana?
Chris Riccardo: For over 30 years, I have existed somewhere between my life as an artist and my life as an arts administrator. Initially, I struggled with the battle between these two separate worlds I was living in. I would constantly find myself asking, “How do I switch from artist mode to director mode on a daily basis?” It wasn’t until fairly recently that I realized that both worlds could coexist and, in actuality, the two combined made me a better leader in the office and a more creative and thoughtful artist in the studio.
I can’t speak for all artists, but there were times in my life were I was made to feel like what I did for a living wasn’t a real job; that it was at best a hobby and there was no way I had the skills to run a museum, start a nonprofit, or, most recently, run for mayor of the capital of Montana. It has been a driving force in my life to prove people wrong when it comes to their views of what we do as artists that has pushed me to run for office. Artists think outside the box, we are creative thinkers, we look at life and the world from a different perspective, and maybe most importantly, we are fearless! We do things that many only wish they could.
CM: In your time on the campaign trail, what have you found to be parallels or overlaps in politics and your efforts in community building as an artist?
CR: I have spent my entire career preaching the importance of creativity and the arts in our lives and our communities. I ran for mayor to make sure the arts are not forgotten, and without them, our little town would not be the same.
My biggest takeaway from the campaign trail is that people are finally starting to see and understand the importance of art in our lives. They want artists and their creative minds involved in the creation of our cities and neighborhoods. It has felt good to feel that the arts, at least in our small town, were finally getting the respect they deserve.
We understand your email address is private. You will receive emails and newsletters from Ceramic Arts Network. We will never share your information except as outlined in our privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Please enjoy this complimentary article for the month.
For unlimited access to Ceramics Monthly premium content, please subscribe.
We understand your email address is private. You will receive emails and newsletters from Ceramic Arts Network. We will never share your information except as outlined in our privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Subscribe to Ceramics Monthly
Ceramics Monthly: How have your experiences as a working ceramic artist of over 30 years, museum director, and business owner impacted your decision to run for mayor of Helena, Montana?
Chris Riccardo: For over 30 years, I have existed somewhere between my life as an artist and my life as an arts administrator. Initially, I struggled with the battle between these two separate worlds I was living in. I would constantly find myself asking, “How do I switch from artist mode to director mode on a daily basis?” It wasn’t until fairly recently that I realized that both worlds could coexist and, in actuality, the two combined made me a better leader in the office and a more creative and thoughtful artist in the studio.
I can’t speak for all artists, but there were times in my life were I was made to feel like what I did for a living wasn’t a real job; that it was at best a hobby and there was no way I had the skills to run a museum, start a nonprofit, or, most recently, run for mayor of the capital of Montana. It has been a driving force in my life to prove people wrong when it comes to their views of what we do as artists that has pushed me to run for office. Artists think outside the box, we are creative thinkers, we look at life and the world from a different perspective, and maybe most importantly, we are fearless! We do things that many only wish they could.
CM: In your time on the campaign trail, what have you found to be parallels or overlaps in politics and your efforts in community building as an artist?
CR: I have spent my entire career preaching the importance of creativity and the arts in our lives and our communities. I ran for mayor to make sure the arts are not forgotten, and without them, our little town would not be the same.
My biggest takeaway from the campaign trail is that people are finally starting to see and understand the importance of art in our lives. They want artists and their creative minds involved in the creation of our cities and neighborhoods. It has felt good to feel that the arts, at least in our small town, were finally getting the respect they deserve.
Photo: Adrianna Reid, Soul Craft Media.
Must-Reads from Ceramics Monthly
Unfamiliar with any terms in this article? Browse our glossary of pottery terms!
Click the cover image to return to the Table of Contents