Guest Contributor:
Alex Johnson
Ceramic Artist and Founder of PotTwist Ceramics
Alex Johnson is a ceramic artist form the Washington, D.C area. She is also the creator of her business, PotTwist Ceramics. Her company’s mission is to inspire and educate through the use of handmade, functional art, with a goal of giving back to the community. In the interview below, she tells us more about her work and journey.
What does Black Mental Wellness mean to you?
Black Mental Wellness means that it’s time to remove the idea that prayer is all we need, and that if we take it to Jesus everything will be fine. Our community needs to know that seeking professional mental help is ok and it doesn’t make you ‘crazy”. We also need to get rid of the notion that only white people seek mental help, or that you have to be rich to acquire the services.
What are some upcoming events you are leading, that promote mental health and wellness, that you would like for our Black Mental Wellness audience to know about?
As an artist, I am always looking for ways to use my art to educate and give back. I recently started a collection titled “Black Mental Health Matters”, which will feature handmade ceramic artwork with the wording “Black Mental Health Matters”. My goal is to create and sell enough artwork so that I am able to donate to a cause that centers specifically around treating black mental health.
Do you have an experience with seeking mental health treatment that you would like to share with the Black Mental Wellness audience?
I have been in therapy since 2005 with the same therapist and am always open to any questions people have. I’ve had people ask me “why have you been in therapy so long? It must not work for you to still seek therapy”. Mental wellness isn’t like a cold, you don’t treat it for a week, and everything is fine. Mental wellness can be viewed the way we view working out, we are consistent with it because our bodies are constantly changing, the same goes for our mind, our thoughts are constantly changing.
Guest Contributor
Alex Johnson (Ali J), is a ceramic artist from the Washington, D.C. area. She initially began using ceramics as a means for therapy after a grueling two-year battle with Lyme disease. While she is still fighting Lyme disease, she turned her therapeutic outlet into a business known as PotTwist Ceramics. Her mission is to inspire and educate through the use of ceramic art.
For more visit: pottwistceramics.com
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