Watertown Artist Wins National Ceramic Cup Competition

Environmental engineer turned artist Nicole Aquillano has been trying to get word out about her ceramic pieces, and the Watertown resident recently got some recognition by winning first place in Cups of Fire: the National Ceramic Cup Competition.

Aquillano, who originally hails from Pittsburgh, Pa., decided to go back to school and is close to finishing her MFA in ceramics at the Rhode Island School of Design. She has been entering her pieces in shows around the country, including the one at the Clay Gallery in Ann Arbor, Mich. Her piece was chosen from more than 300 entries.

“It's really exciting. I got into the show, and then I found out I was in the running for the prize,” Aquillano said. “I found out through Facebook that I got first place. It would have been nice to go, but it is all the way out in Michigan.”

Her piece, called “Cloudy Day,” is a cup and saucer with a spoon. Aquillano painted designs on the outside and the inside of the cup, as well as on the saucer and spoon.

Aquillano still works part time at the Environmental Protection Agency, but hopes to become a potter.

“Grad school has been a lot of experimentation,” she said. “I have been figuring out why I make what I make. The most recent work is the most honest – the most me.”

In her first year at RISD, Aquillano said she made salt and pepper shakers, and the cups and saucers seemed to be the next step. Now she plans to work on bigger pieces, such as sets of dishes, bowls and serving dishes.

She says the are not just meant to be admired.

“It’s totally my thing to make work that is functional,” Aquillano said. “I expect people to use it, but I also expect people to display and treasure it.”

After living in Watertown for the past 3 years, Aquillano and her husband Sam plan to move into a spot in the Fort Point Studios in South Boston, where she will live and work.

Her work can be seen at upcoming sales at RISD in Providence on May 5 and at the Fort Point Open Studios from May 11 to 13.