Current Residents
Mark Jones
My work explores the intersection of function, history, and warrior artistry. Through atmospheric soda firing, I create functional pottery bearing fire's transformative marks—mirroring how combat transforms warriors. Decorative third firings introduce motifs from diverse warrior cultures: Samurai, Zulu, Vikings, Sioux, and Spartans.
These motifs are not mere ornamentation; they represent the paradox of warriors as both destroyers and creators, shaped by the crucible of close combat. Warriors across cultures have not only waged battles but also created striking works of art: the delicate calligraphy and drawings of the samurai, intricate metalsmithing from Viking craftsmen, elegant yet functional Greek ceramics. This dichotomy defines my work. The unpredictable nature of atmospheric firing reflects combat's chaos, while refined forms represent discipline and intention.
My perspective stems from decades in law enforcement, where the “warrior/protector” ethos of the late 20th century has been deeply ingrained. In my pottery, these influences merge: a mug carrying a Spartan shield impression, a pitcher bearing a samurai's stance, or a vase embodying meditative balance.
My work celebrates contrasts—rough and refined, warrior and artist—recognizing that creation and destruction shape one another. Through fire and clay, I honor this timeless paradox.
Mark Jones is a ceramics artist who began his artistic journey at the Lill Street Arts Center in Chicago, Illinois, and studied for his Bachelor of Fine Arts at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. Mr. Jones arrived in Ohio in February 2025 to become an artist in residence at the Canaanville Arts Center. He may be found on Instagram @warriorceramics
Kaila Guilmet
Kaila Guilmet (b. 1991 Concord, MA) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Athens, OH. Guilmet earned a BFA from the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in 2013. Previous residencies include: galeria perdida (Chilchota, Michoacán MX), Recess Session (New York, NY), and Ace Hotel (New York, NY). Before becoming a resident at CAC, Guilmet was the recipient of The Studio Potters' Grant for Apprenticeship.
"My practice is in a place of research and experimentation. I find myself interested in systems, and the emergent properties that arise from those systems. We use systems in a myriad of ways: to categorize, to make meaning, to institutionalize, to play.
My current body of work uses the system of hyperbolic geometry to create linked looped hyperbolic forms. I have found resonance in clay as a material for these investigations. It is a material that vibrates with combinatorial possibility. With these sculptural forms, I have begun to investigate what occurs at the edges of established systems, where order becomes porous, and meaning arises that cannot be so easily understood through conventional frameworks."