“I just can’t be bothered anymore to keep making something I hate. There’s just no joy in it at that point,” Bouchier said.

Mia Bouchier is a senior visual arts major from Westchester, New York. She has been doing some kind of art for her whole life, and hopes that art can become her career in some capacity. “Despite what I might say while in studio, clay is a very calming medium to work with,” Bouchier said.

Bouchier draws much of the inspiration for her works from vintage prints and wallpapers, as well as graphic design prints and zines. The medium she is currently working in the most is clay, but her favorite medium to work with is acrylic paint. The Roger Williams University ceramics studio has become a second home for her in the past couple of years.

“If you don’t like it, smash it and make a new one,” Bouchier attributes this as the best advice she’s received while at RWU, given by her ceramics professor Denis Leonti.

This past spring Bouchier was awarded with the Excellence in Visual Arts award by the Department of Visual Arts. She was nominated by Professor Leonti due to her exemplification of “graduate level” work in her ceramics courses and her dedication to the craft.

Within ceramics, she has more experience and knowledge on wheel thrown pottery, but she has delved into handbuilding ceramic techniques as well. Bouchier’s favorite piece she has made is a large handbuilt vase that is about two feet tall. It was inspired by the flowers in her garden when she was younger.

Currently, Bouchier is working on making more refined ceramic pieces. “It’s a goal of mine,” Bouchier stated. Outside of ceramics, she is also working on intermedia pieces for one of her courses.

Bouchier has worked with art camps her past two summers, but she is hoping to expand her art and be able to sell her ceramics at upcoming craft fairs and markets. 

Bouchier is also Vice President of the Roger Williams University Art Club. According to Bouchier, “Art Club is an important part of the lives of many students as it lets them be creative when they otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to.”