Exploration Through Fire
Jessica Ames-Russell’s 2025 Winter Ceramics Residency at ESSA
From February 1 to March 15, 2025, the Eureka Springs School of the Arts (ESSA) welcomed artist and instructor Jessica Ames-Russell as the Winter 2025 Ceramics Artist in Residence. A familiar face at ESSA and in the local arts community, Jessica used her six-week residency to dive deep into experimental ceramics—embracing the challenges of winter weather, the unpredictability of fire, and the freedom of focused creative time.
Meeting the Artist
Jessica Ames-Russell is a multi-talented artist and educator based in Eureka Springs. With over two decades of experience across painting, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, and printmaking, she brings both expertise and enthusiasm to every endeavor. A former high school art teacher and longtime ESSA instructor, Jessica has guided countless students in ceramics and painting. As ESSA’s 2025 Winter Ceramics Artist in Residence, she set out to explore alternative firing techniques—especially Raku and saggar firing—through a lens of innovation, curiosity, and play.
Weathering the Elements
Jessica’s residency began with a flurry—literally. From high winds to a full-on snowstorm, she faced Mother Nature head-on, even firing pieces directly in the snow. When gusts threatened her outdoor firings, Jessica and ESSA staff constructed wind blinds to protect the kilns—an improvised solution that will serve future artists well. These early hurdles became creative opportunities, shaping both her work and the residency experience as a whole.
Into the Fire
Throughout her time at ESSA, Jessica worked with dedication and intensity. She created 64 finished pieces for her final reception and sale, but her actual output was closer to 75, including experiments, “seconds,” and one-off works. She explored surface textures, form, and firing results with fearless experimentation, pushing the boundaries of her practice and embracing every unexpected outcome.
Notes from the Studio
Ceramics is a craft of transformation—and uncertainty. Jessica took copious notes during her firings, carefully tracking combustibles, glaze combinations, and surface treatments. These observations will guide her future work and inform her approach to teaching. As ESSA Studio Coordinator Brynna Mollohan put it, “Ceramics is always a hope and a prayer.” Each firing offered not only finished pieces but also valuable lessons and new directions.
In Her Own Words
“My six-week ceramics residency at ESSA was a time of deep focus, exploration, and experimentation, made possible by the incredible support of the staff and the awesome facilities. Through raku and a variety of saggar firing methods, I searched for new and imaginative visuals, embracing the unpredictability of the firing process. Each piece offered a lesson that helped to guide and inspire the next. I’m grateful for the space, resources, and encouragement that made this experience so enriching.”
— Jessica Ames-Russell
A Celebration of Process and Product
On Saturday, March 15, 2025, ESSA hosted a Closing Reception and Sale for Jessica in the Founders Building 2D Studio. The event featured an art pre-sale at 2 PM, followed by an Artist Talk at 4:15 PM where Jessica shared stories, techniques, and takeaways from her residency. Guests browsed (and purchased) a beautiful display of her finished work, asked questions, and celebrated the culmination of a season well spent.
Looking Ahead
Jessica Ames-Russell’s Winter 2025 Ceramics Residency leaves behind more than just artwork. It’s a story of resilience, experimentation, and artistic growth. Her time at ESSA brought new knowledge, new tools, and new ideas that will ripple through her future practice—and through ESSA’s ceramics community—for seasons to come.
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Please feel free to reach out:
Chrissie Heavenridge
Email: marketing@essa-art.org
Phone: (479) 253-5384
Website: essa-art.org
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