August Mug of the Month is here: Sarah McGonigle
- PennOhio Clay Guild
- Aug 30
- 3 min read
The August Mug of the Month, is the final body of work made by artist and educator Sarah McGonigle, who spent the summer reconnecting with ceramics as a personal artistic practice.
"Over the past two months, I returned to clay from the perspective of an artist, rather than a teacher," Sarah explains. "As a teacher, I spend my time looking at student work, guiding them through their ideas, and creating examples that help them understand different concepts. But this summer, I wanted to focus on my own creative growth. I used my dual roles as teacher and artist as a conceptual starting point, and from there, I set out to challenge myself technically and creatively."
Sarah began her process by committing to a period of experimentation. She spent several weeks exploring wheel throwing with consistency, followed by extensive glaze testing at mid-fire temperatures. These early phases were full of trial and error, but they laid the groundwork for the 15-piece mug series that followed.
"I made a lot of mistakes intentionally, so I could really focus when it came time to create the actual work. There was a lot of measuring and preparation, which I don’t usually take the time to do. It reminded me of painting a room. You think the hard part is the painting itself, but it's really the prep work that takes the most time and effort. That was true of this body of work as well."
A major design element in this collection is the tartan pattern, which became both a technical and conceptual focus. Sarah explored multiple methods for incorporating the pattern. Adding strips of clay made the mugs too heavy, and various carving tools yielded inconsistent results. After several trials, she developed a carving system that balanced depth, weight, and texture. By the fourth mug, she found a rhythm and was able to streamline both the sculpting and glazing processes.
Creating this series was a labor of love, filled with experimentation, setbacks, and growth. Each piece carries the weight of hours spent refining techniques, testing materials, and solving unexpected problems. The process required patience, precision, and a willingness to keep learning. These mugs hold more than just glaze and clay; they hold intention, reflection, and the quiet persistence that comes with making something by hand. It is incredibly rewarding to create work that not only reflects my own journey but also invites others to find meaning in it.
Throughout the project, Sarah found herself deepening her understanding of color theory, history, religion, and of course, ceramics. The finished series represents not just the merging of artistic skill and spiritual exploration, but also the result of disciplined work, reflection, and creative risk-taking.
This month’s Mug of the Month is more than just functional pottery. It is a celebration of process, purpose, and the quiet joy of making something meaningful by hand.
Alongside the ceramics, Sarah is developing The Wild Goose, an artistic journal documenting her trip to Scotland through photography of landscapes and cultural moments. This visual exploration highlights how travel and place influence her artistic and educational practice. Detailed videos showcasing her mug-making process are available on her social media pages. Follow along to see where her journey leads.
This collection of tartan-inspired ceramics will be available for reservation in early August. The project represents a thoughtful blend of art, education, and cultural storytelling, inviting audiences to engage with tradition through a modern creative lens.
Visit The Wild Goose and follow along with Sarah's journey.
Online Tartan Designer
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