Amber Paz-Csibi kicks off a year's worth of monthly "Meet the Member" interviews. It's not the first time she has appeared in The Slip Trail - see her October review of Celebration of Clay 2024. 

How did you first get interested in clay?

I started to truly create art with clay when I was an art student in high school. As an art major in college, I focused and practiced ceramics. I assisted my ceramics professor to load and fire the kilns, create high fire gas and raku glazes from scratch and managed all the raku firings. At that time, I was most interested in learning how to excel as a potter by creating wheel thrown pottery. 

Describe your studio. 

My art studio is located in a small enclosed room with a window in my garage area at my home. There is a large rustic wood table (with canvas on top) and wood shelving throughout the space. I have a ceramic kiln and a glass fusing kiln in my studio. I make a mess while creating, yet I maintain a tidy studio space. 

Describe your work. 

As an artist, I create art exploring a variety of media. My personal artworks are visual explorations of my journey in life and the magical landscapes of New Mexico. My creative process embraces the simplicity of form, color and function. I would describe my artistic style as an eclectic mix of contemporary and rustic designs. I create a range of ceramic and fused glass artworks such as: tableware, decorative and functional pieces. Lately, I am exploring ways to create ceramic and mixed media wall hangings. 

Santa Fe Peace 2024 by Amber Paz-Csibi. Photo by the artist. 

When you are not working in your studio, what do you enjoy? 

I enjoy teaching ceramics and mixed media art lessons to students of all ages, spending time with my family, friends, and my dog. Lately, I am enjoying and learning how to ice skate with my children on the weekends. It brings me joy to volunteer my time teaching youth and adults art lessons in my community. 

Do you play music in your studio? If yes, what do you listen to? 

Yes, it depends on how I feel. I like a variety of genres of music ranging from indie folk to alternative or sometimes reggae and more. Mostly, I enjoy the surprise playlists or mixes that pop up in my music app, with a broad range of music from the past to present. 

What other pottery do you have in your home? 

I have pottery that family and friends have given me over the years. Some of the pottery in my home are from NMPCA members, thrift store(s) vintage pottery finds and ceramics from Mexico. 

What caused you to join NMPCA? Describe involvement with NMPCA, and how many years you have been involved. 

As an art educator, I applied and was awarded the Bill Armstrong grant (Fall 2023) to implement and develop a new ceramics program for youth. I became a member of NMPCA in January 2024, participated in the recent Celebration of Clay exhibit, and volunteer to support NMPCA. Joining NMPCA and meeting such kind and talented artists has been such an inspiration! I am grateful to have this new joy and spark as a member of a unique ceramics community. 

With Love and Gratitude, Amber Paz-Csibi www.amberpazart.com

Amber Paz-Csibi.

"Meet the Member" interview and questions have been appearing in The Slip Trail for decades. Visit the archives to read more.

-Cirrelda Snider-Bryan, editor.