Chicago-based artist, Marva Pitchford Jolly, was recently honored by the Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. A self-taught master ceramicist, Jolly’s work is heavily influenced by traditional African hand-building techniques and the values she learned from her strong family and Mississippi upbringing. –tony binns
How did you gravitate toward art?
I would say that my very first role models were my parents. My mother was a quilter and made most of our clothes; my father made toys for us to play with. I really believe that my early passion for mud and water, which we called “mud pies,” was my first gravitation toward creating art. The images I imagined while playing with mud pies now appear in my most powerful art works. I consider clay to be a major part of my lifetime journey, and it supports my creative energy.
What kind of training have you had?
I am a self-taught ceramic artist who decided in 1982 that I wanted to work with clay. After taking one class at a community center, I decided that I wanted to go into the studio and do my own thing with clay. Over the years, I have taken advantage of workshops and residencies, but I have mostly done my art the way I wanted to.
Have you had any formal training?
Absolutely, being self-taught really means that I’ve created my own imagery on my art work and that I did clay the way I wanted to. But technically, I’ve taken many classes, workshops, artist residencies and work sessions with other clay artists. All of the aforementioned resources have allowed me to gain the confidence needed to move from dreaming into creating.
What are your thoughts on being honored by the Deltas?
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is a group that I have a lot of respect for. When I found out that I had been chosen as the featured artist, I felt truly grateful. Being honored by this respected group of women puts a community stamp of approval on what I consider my positive contributions through art.
