6 THINGS WITH KASSANDRA GUZMAN

6 Things with Kassandra Guzman Founder of Kuu Pottery

Kassandra Guzman, aka Kuu, was born and grew up in Miami, FL. She founded KuuPottery in 2016 at the age of 23 years old while getting her business degree from Florida International University.

KuuPottery started as a studio out of Kuu's apartment where she taught wheel throwing to the Miami community in addition to making small batch releases. Demand quickly forced her to grow out of the apartment and she relocated to different studio locations in the Miami area and began to work at the studio full-time.

She shifted her focus in 2019 to explore new designs around ceramic handles and its representation of concepts and emotions. She released her Amphora collection, characterized by its slender, protruding handles, "organic shapes, and pastel color palettes"

In 2020, Kuu opened a studio in Seattle as she was inspired to explore how motion and movement could be represented through ceramics. In early 2021, she released Boinggg! - a whimsical, energetic collection featuring spring-inspired handles that we’ve had our eyes on and we’re thrilled to be carrying a curated collection of her pieces on our platform.

1. What started it all for you?

I remember watching Across the Universe at 13 and something just lit up inside of me watching the protagonist live in their art. My art journey began in 2D and was mostly portrait studies throughout high school and then in college I was exposed to more art and detached into more De Kooning abstract style paintings about my childhood. I transitioned into making bedroom pop for a couple years and then I took a pottery class in 2015 which began my journey in ceramic objects.

2. What drives your creative spark?

I think my desire to be me, motivates me to continue. I want to wake up and make art every single day freely. When you build a business around your art you find yourself feeling pressure to create in a certain way but knowing that I can build up from here motivates me, and that one day I can make art again like I did in my adolescence - completely free.

3. Most treasured home decor item?

I love cozy couches and that requires a blanket so it will have to be my Slow Down Studio blanket. It was gifted to me and its an illustration of people holding pottery and just perfect.

4. What’s the best advice you've ever received?

You are your only opponent.

5. It's 5 o'clock at home. What would you be pouring?

I love a tall cup filled with ice and apple juice. Its so refreshing and the sugar gives me a good pick me up to make dinner or do a 20 minute YouTube yoga workout.

6. What are your favorite 6 accounts that you follow for inspiration?

@press_sf
@p_e_a__rl
@spaceage_addict
@sighswoon
@fruitassembly
@arthurapparel

"I think my desire to be me, motivates me to continue. I want to wake up and make art every single day freely. When you build a business around your art you find yourself feeling pressure to create in a certain way but knowing that I can build up from here motivates me, and that one day I can make art again like I did in my adolescence - completely free." -Kassandra Guzman

PHOTOGRAPHY BY @genstreetstyle @morningsideway