Public Employee Press

Carolyn Jones: Giving back through art

Carolyn Jones is a woman of many accomplishments. As a member of Local 384, she’s served as a shop steward and graduated from the Cornell-DC 37 Labor Studies Certificate Program for Women.

While working full-time as a CUNY College Office Assistant at the New York City College of Technology, she earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a master’s in television and radio management. Now a CUNY Administrative Assistant, she’s a wordsmith whose love of writing has led her to try her hand at reporting and poetry.

After 9/11, she sought solace and comfort through a different medium of creative expression. “I decided to work with ceramics,” she explained. “I like working with my hands. I tried it and it just flowed.”

She got instruction at a ceramics studio near her home in Flatbush, Brooklyn, where she connected to a like-minded group of artists.

“It’s a community thing. They only charge you for the materials. They guide you and after a while, you’re allowed to fly and let your creativity do the work,” she said.

Her first sale happened by chance, when a neighbor paid her to create a bowl similar to another one she had. “The bowl had sort of a Native American pattern on it. I use crystal glaze paint with glass chips in it. When the kiln heats the paint, it bursts into unpredictable patterns as it creates a glaze,” she explained. That first sale opened new horizons, and in 2002 Jones set up her own business. She has been creating one-of-a-kind art ever since.

“Ceramics did exactly what I thought it would and more, because it’s not only relaxing, it also evokes emotions in the creator and the recipient,” she said. Ms. Jones personalizes each of her art objects. When she produces porcelain pieces, she decorates with mother-of-pearl luster. The warmth of her individual objects is palpable. A small teapot has a lustrous coating and delicate designs. A tiny sweet-faced piggy bank begs to be picked up and held.

Her company’s motto is “An elegant blend of art and community.” Community comes into play both at the studio and every year at Brooklyn College, where she puts on an annual art event that is open to the public. This year on Dec. 10 she will host her third annual open house. “We don’t have community activities like this in my neighborhood,” she pointed out. “I’m trying to help my community by giving back to it,” she said.

At last year’s event, Jones paired with the Federation of Black Cowboys. This year, the Rev. Annie Bovian of the Women’s Advocate Ministry will be the honored guest. Jones is contributing part of the proceeds to WAM to help incarcerated mothers buy new baby clothes and supplies such as pacifiers. WAM is affiliated with the Marble Collegiate Church, which includes Jones as a member.

As the mother of two and a grandmother of four, family is an important part of her own life. She is enthusiastic about this year’s charity. Creepers, T-shirts and bibs are piling up as she uses the Internet to find quality items for the babies.

For the open house, she explained, “I’m the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker. I used my training in communications to create brochures and other promotional materials, including a PowerPoint presentation. The only thing I haven’t done is burn the CD!” Last year, she created special Christmas ornaments.

The art show will take place at the Brooklyn College Student Center, Campus Road and E. 27th Street, on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 12 to 5 p.m. “You can buy or just look,” she said.

To get there, take the #2 train to Flatbush or the #44 Bus to Flatbush Junction and Nostrand Avenue.

—Jane LaTour