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The Maker
My name is Persis Wade
What is The Snail People?
I am a ceramic artist currently working in Detroit, Michigan.
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I graduated with my BFA in ceramics from Indiana University in 2021. After college, I completed an emerging artist residency at the Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis. When my residency was over, I traveled west in my van to undergo an apprenticeship with master adobe builder Kirk Klingsmith of Roswel. I built my sculptures outside, in the garage, and my parent's basement before being awarded the ceramic assistantship at Peters Valley School of Craft. I look forward to cultivating community, providing hospitality, and wonder through my interactive large-scale works.
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The Snail People originally was founded in 2016 when an image was found in the medieval art manuscript Lectura Super featuring two knights jousting on snails in front of a tree. The embodiment of these people sitting on snails provided a great deal of inspiration and wonder. You, dear reader, are invited to be the snail people. Go through the motions-ride a snail through this life. The Snail People is an experience. A self-reflection. A collective. It is also a place where you can buy and see my work!
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