When I began practicing ceramics, I was welcomed into a community of artists across disciplines that I deeply admire—some practicing for decades, others just finding their footing. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the work behind their work: their process, their passion, their dedication. What moves me the most, though, is how seamlessly they blend their practice into everyday life. Their creativity is not only heavily steeped in monumental moments like community outreach, teaching, or openings, but it’s also there in the quieter moments like pausing to look at an insect while out for a walk or jotting down ideas while waiting for their food at a restaurant. The trail of creativity doesn’t end when a piece is finished.

I started bringing my camera around to capture some of those behind-the-curtain moments. The more I paid attention, the more I noticed how rarely artists had images that did their work justice and how much that mattered when it came time to submit for a gallery or apply for a grant. That’s what led me here.

Archive Studio Hawai’i was built specifically for fine artists, by someone who understands what the work means to the people who are making it.