If you live in Warren or Hunterdon counties, you may have seen the work of local artisan Emma Rimi without even knowing it. A production potter for her family’s business, Rimi Studios, in Washington, Emma graduated with a BFA from Messiah College in Pennsylvania, concentrating in 3D design. She also designs her own line of pottery and ceramics, which is more whimsical than what’s created for her family’s studio. In addition, the ever-busy Emma conducts classes and workshops for all experience levels at Rimi Studios, Hunterdon County Parks and Recreation, and Hunterdon County Art Museum.

Emma’s mother, Karen, is a potter, her main inspiration, and the reason behind her involvement with clay in the first place. Her father, Jim, is a photographer, whose aesthetic is fundamental to her artistic growth, as well. “I am so grateful for my parents and the opportunities they have given me to grow in this field,” she reflected, “and bloom as an individual.” Emma finds inspiration “in the everyday.” She clarified, “I like to document or draw on my pots snippets of dreams or impressionable situations. They are little drawings of the images that I keep in the corners of my brain.”

Emma works with Bmix white stoneware clay, fired to cone 10, hand drawn and decorated with underglazes, and finished in a high gloss clear glaze. Her pieces, which are microwave, dishwasher and food safe, are functional and made for daily use. Her pottery is available for purchase through her website (heartbeetstudios.com) or at Rimi Studios, 47 Kinnaman Avenue, Washington. She also accepts commissions from time to time. Coming in late-August, she will have an exhibit at 2nd Floor Gallery in Revere, PA. 

Emma loves the work of contemporary ceramists Kevin Snipes, Molly Ann Bishop, and Didem Mert, along with paintings by Marc Rothko, photographs by Bruce Davidson, and random exciting street art and graffiti artists. Beyond the arts, she relishes hiking, travel, cooking new recipes, playing guitar, and sitting on the couch eating chips.

A few years ago, Abilities of Northwest Jersey Inc. accepted a donated kiln, which is now installed at their Mary Apgar Center in Washington. The agency recently asked Emma to introduce ceramics to their program consumers, individuals with different abilities. Using a grant awarded by Warren County Cultural and Heritage Commission, Abilities was able to collaborate with Emma and purchase the supplies necessary to help launch the ceramics program, which is part of an agency-wide expanding music and arts program.

Emma said the ceramics program has proven beneficial for the consumers and is excited to see it grow. She’d love to incorporate other art adventures in different media, saying, “there are so many projects that we can introduce.”

Thus far, Emma has conducted three sessions with Abilities’ consumers – rolling slabs of clay and imprinting textures, cutting shapes, and painting them – all involving tactile engagement, freedom of expression, and personal accomplishment. Finally, the painted pieces will be strung together into a collaborative mobile and displayed onsite. The next few ceramics classes will be dedicated to creating collaborative pieces for auction at Abilities’ upcoming Diamonds in the Sky Gala.

Abilities of Northwest Jersey Inc. is a non-profit 501(c) agency, providing services and supports to more than 400 individuals with different abilities. On April 6, they are hosting Diamonds in the Sky, a celebration dinner dance, featuring a not-to-be-missed performance by the Abilities Choir. For more information, please visit www.abilitiesnw.com.

When it comes to the people and happenings of Warren County, you can count on award-winning photographer Cathy Miller to be there to record the moment.