We had the good fortune of connecting with Cathy Miriam Mitchell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cathy Miriam, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?

As a child growing up in the low-income part of Oak Cliff in the 70s, I faced many challenges due to poverty and a generally challenging childhood. Creating art was what saved me. Making art was one aspect of my life that brought me great joy. The progression toward a creative career came naturally and was influenced by exposure to a wide variety of art mediums, educators who took an interest and encouraged me, and my parents who nurtured my creativity by enrolling me in private art lessons as a child. While I wasn’t exposed to a lot of art in elementary school, junior high provided me with a semester of art where I had my first experience with clay. In high school, a student teacher recognized my talent and encouraged me to attend what was then the Dallas Arts Magnet School, Booker T. Washington.

At Booker T. Washington, I was introduced to a multitude of art mediums including printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, painting, drawing, as well as art history. It was the enriching and unforgettable experience at that school that lead me to pursue a degree in painting and drawing at the University of North Texas, which was North Texas State University at the time. Clay was always my mistress though when it came to art. Clay was my true love.

After I graduated with my B.F.A. in Painting and Drawing, the need to start a career and make a living lead me to obtain my public school teaching certification. For 34 years, I taught middle school and high school-level art in public schools. I truly loved teaching, so naturally, when I retired, I decided to create Miriam Studios. Miriam Studios is my personal clay studio as well as where I teach private ceramics classes several days a week. It’s a great outlet for my creativity and love of teaching as well as supplementary income for my retirement.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Currently, I design and create my own ceramics and teach private art lessons for children and adults at my private art studio, Miriam Studios. I built my studio behind my house and it is my refuge, my happy place. Most weekdays I have a steady stream of eager students coming to create in my studio. On my days off, I create my own artwork. I used to vend at community markets, but now I have two annual shows at my studio where my Art friends, my students and I sell our work. Miriam Studios Mother’s Day Sale will be May 6th 10-4 this year, our Christmas Sale will be December 2 10-4. This year we will also be a part of Speed Bump Lil d studio crawl. It will be May 20 11 a.m to 5 p.m. Check miriamstudios Facebook to get updates.

I’ve grown a lot as an artist since retiring. My studio has allowed me to explore my personal style. My most recent pieces were inspired by an ‘epic fail’ that one of my students encouraged me not to throw away. This ‘epic fail’ pot is what inspired my ‘ram horn’ series where the handles are thrown and combed to emulate the texture and shape of ram horns.

The idea of owning my personal studio and teaching private lessons was inspired by exposure to other successful artists who had created similar setups as well as the opportunity I had at a young age to attend the Dallas Arts Magnet School, Booker T. Washington. Booker T. Washington was the impetus that sparked my passion for art which has ultimately led me to where I am today. It took me decades of dedication, experimentation, and learning to get here, but I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s been a challenging, yet very rewarding experience.

Miriam Studios has brought so much joy and creativity into my life. My students are such wonderful and creative people and they inspire me. Teaching my students allows me to interact with other artists weekly and keep my own work fresh. My work is eclectic and quirky like me, and I love every minute of what I do in the creative process.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Denton is such a lovely town! It’s a big-little town as I like to call it. If someone is visiting for the first time, I’d recommend that they eat at Kimodo Loco downtown. It’s a locally owned amazing Asian-fusion restaurant that has an excellent atmosphere, out-of-this-world food, and delicious cocktails. As far as entertainment, I’d recommend a play at the Campus Theatre or live music at Dan’s Silverleaf. Both venues offer the very ‘Denton’ local feel with plenty of talent and fun. During the day, I’d recommend that they peruse the Denton Community Market which offers live music, delicious food, locally made art, and produce from local farms.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I’d give shoutouts to the following people and organizations:

-Empty Bowls Denton (https://ctsdenton.org/empty-bowls): This is an amazing event that raises money for three local charities: Denton Community Food Center, Our Daily Bread, and the Monsignor King Outreach Center. Local artists donate bowls to this event and restaurants/individuals donate soups. People that buy a ticket to the event get to choose a bowl that they get to take home with them. My students and I donate bowls to this every year.

-The Art Room in Denton (https://theartroomdenton.org/): From their website: “The Art Room provides a safe, supportive studio environment for adults with mental health issues to explore artistic expression and the development of artistic skills. Our visitors will be supported in the discovery that the creative process has therapeutic value in reducing stress, in promoting self-discovery, and in providing a positive means for emotional expression. We hope to demonstrate that engaging in art is therapeutic.” This organization was founded by my good friend Marlys Lamar whom I admire for her dedication to bringing art to the community as a therapeutic outlet.

LeonCarlo Canlas LeonCarlo @canlas.com

LeonCarlo is an accomplished musician, composer, and music educator. He is someone I feel fortunate to know.

-All of my Miriam Studios Students: Each and every one of them inspires me on a daily basis. Their creativity and passion enrich my life and my own creativity. I love watching them grow in their creative practices and it’s so rewarding to see many of them eventually grow into professional artists. My students are my inspiration.

Instagram: Miriam Studios

Facebook: Miriam Studios

Image Credits
None I took all of these pictures. Cathy Mitchell@miriamstudios Facebook

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