91�ȱ���

 91�ȱ��� Stories      May 6, 2025

By Shane Ryden

A faceless woman in vibrant dress. A swaddled child at her back. A basket full of yaniqueques, a favorite snack of the Dominican Republic, balanced atop her head. Zoila Carrasco’s “Feeding the Island” is a story in stoneware, an artist’s journey toward self-love amidst generational memories and food anxiety.

The inspired piece by the Western Carolina University artist took home first place for undergraduate work among hundreds of submissions at the National Council for the Education of Ceramic Arts’ annual conference this past March. The accomplishment will see her work featured in the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art for months to come.

Carrasco, an undergraduate fine arts student with a studio concentration and officer of the 91�ȱ��� MudCats club, first embarked on the piece as part of a class project. Heather Mae Erickson, professor of ceramics and studio art, invited Carrasco and her peers to create a piece inspired by “The Banquet of Excess: Food as a Concept.” 

“Food and ceramics go hand in hand, as most civilizations' histories are recorded through art, media and writing. The rituals of dining and etiquette are extensive fields of study, particular to different societies and cultures,” Erickson said. “For this project, students were tasked with choosing a topic to research that deals with food as the concept for making and presenting.”

Carrasco’s time at 91�ȱ��� has changed her relationship with ceramics. She was first introduced to the potter’s wheel in high school, and her love for the medium has only grown with years of hard work and practice.           

“When I first started off, I really just enjoyed learning new techniques, whether that was just building with your hands or throwing on the potter’s wheel,” Carrasco said. “And I still really enjoy that, but now that I've been pushed a bit more in my program, in terms of concepts for my pieces or a bit more backstory for my pieces, I've been really enjoying having an area to share some of my stories.”           

Erickson’s topic inspired the artist to speak on a lifelong struggle with eating and reflect on how her ancestors had shared the burden differently.           

“In that moment, I was struggling a lot with food,” Carrasco said. “And I’ve heard many stories of my grandparents struggling with food as well, just in a different context. Theirs was a lot more poverty based, still having that anxiety of not having certainty with food or having easy, accessible food, and mine was a lot more environmental. It was more affected by people than financial circumstances.

“I have a lot of personal trauma, as do a lot of people, so I've been really enjoying coming up with concepts for pieces that talk about that, having the ability to actually create them and bring them to life.”

With herself and her ancestors in mind, she began her work, drawing on imagery from her experiences in the Dominican Republic.

“Growing up, I lived in the U.S., but a lot of my family lived in the Dominican Republic, so we’d go visit probably every year, sometimes twice a year, to see family there,” Carrasco said.           

“We’d be driving around or walking around, and you'd see a lot of moms or even young kids walking around and selling stuff on the street. It’s usually food, and it’s food that they can't have. But once they make the money for it, they can buy the materials to make their own food. That’s something that stuck with me, because I always wanted to help them in any way I could.”      

Carrasco’s piece honors and immortalizes a cultural character. She bears witness to a way of living that flows backwards and forwards through time.

The significance of her achievement was not lost on the artist or those who cheered her on.

“I was grateful that I even got into the conference itself,” Carrasco said. “People come from all over the country.

“It was a very validating experience. You should have your own validation, but it's still nice to have that pat on the back.”

Erickson spoke with pride on her student.

“Zoila has been an integral part of the ceramics community at Western Carolina University. As an officer of the Mudcats Club, she has contributed significantly to the community and will be greatly missed when she graduates in May 2025. Her leadership and passion have inspired many fellow students and faculty members alike,” Erickson said.

“The Annual Juried Student Exhibition at the National Council on the Education of Ceramic Arts is one of the most prestigious exhibitions for students in the ceramics field. Zoila’s work stood out among many talented entries, showcasing their unique perspective and dedication. This is not only an honor for Carrasco but also an honor for 91�ȱ���.”

Reflecting on her time in the program, Carrasco encouraged younger artists to pursue their creative aspirations with confidence.

“There are going to be a lot of humbling moments in ceramics, but just keep putting yourself out there,” Carrasco said. “Not everyone can understand what you’re making or the meaning behind it, but when people see your vision, they will compliment you. They will support you. They will push you to do more great things."