Introducing Mug of the Month Artist, August 2025: Sarah McGonigle

Reserve Your August Mug Today!

Sarah McGonigle is a 26-year-old artist, photographer, and educator preparing to begin a Masters of Science in International Education at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, UK this fall. For the past four years, she has been teaching high school ceramics at Northmont High School in Clayton, Ohio, where she developed a deep passion for fostering creativity and cultural understanding through hands-on art. This summer, she has returned home to Hermitage before embarking on her journey to Scotland.

Sarah’s teaching philosophy centers on creating an inclusive and supportive environment where students grow not only as artists but also as confident, collaborative thinkers. She has taught over 1,000 students across a wide range of artistic disciplines, including ceramics, visual storytelling, and general art. This broad experience informs her approach to supporting creativity as a powerful tool for personal and cultural connection.

Some examples of Sarah's previous work...

Mug of the Month - August Design Inspiration:

Her Mug of the Month project draws inspiration from a lesson influenced by watercolor artist Michelle Carlos called the Global Patterns Project. In this project, students researched and recreated patterns from around the world to honor their cultural significance. Motivated by this, Sarah has focused her art on tartan designs, reflecting Scotland’s rich heritage and her personal connection as she prepares to move abroad.

The tartan ceramics series combines traditional pottery techniques with digital design, connecting the symbolism and history embedded in tartan patterns with contemporary artistic expression. Sarah shares her creative journey through initial sketches, digital boards, and images of her working at the pottery wheel, offering insight into how culture and craft intertwine in her work.

Take a deep Dive i

nto Sarah's Design Process:

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.

http://www.thewildgoose.uk

Reservations to purchase her limited edition mug are available now.  We’ll learn more about the design and making progress mid-August with the final presentation by the end of the month.

Please note, due to the nature of Sarah's designs, mug choice will be offered in the order of reservation date.

Reserve Your August Mug Today!