Ashton Little Members Exhibition Feature;
For ceramic artist Ashton Little, finding Touchstone felt like discovering the creative home she had been moving toward for years. What began as a date night at the forge soon became volunteer days, a scholarship, a community wood firing, and now a place where Ashton continues to deepen her craft. Her work in the 2025 Touchstone Members Exhibition reflects the joy of returning to the wheel after time away, drawing inspiration from classical vase forms, surface decoration, and the energy of wood firing on campus. But what shines just as clearly as the work itself is Ashton’s belief in the power of participation and support: “Small steps are still steps and it is the community that drives places like Touchstone.”
Read more about Ashton’s work in this interview by Erica Nuckles, PhD, Touchstone Communications Committee member and Director of Learning, Engagement and Partnerships at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg, PA.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_ashton/
What is your Touchstone story? How did you first hear about it and what drew you to be involved?
I heard about Touchstone while attending Edinboro University. Fast forward a few years and I am living in the town next to Touchstone. My partner purchased a date night at the forge and after realizing how close I was, I knew I had to get involved. First volunteering during the campus clean up days, I then applied for a scholarship. I was awarded the scholarship that I then used for the community wood firing. I am happy to now be a member of Touchstone. The journey has been great and I am thankful to be a part of such a wonderful place.
Can you tell us about your journey as an artist—where did it begin, how has it evolved?
I have always loved creating for as long as I can remember. Art was my favorite subject in school, even winning an award during elementary school graduation from the Art teacher. In high school, I took my first ceramics class and that is when my real journey began. After taking as many ceramic classes as I could throughout high school, I made the decision to major in Fine Arts at Edinboro University. This is where I was exposed to many forms of art and explored my boundaries of creation. Covid hit, I graduated and started working in the corporate world where my love for clay took a back seat. Now back at the throwing wheel, I am ecstatic to be creating and finishing ceramics again.
How do you describe your work(s) in the Touchstone Members Exhibition? Where did you find inspiration?
The two pieces I have on display are both inspired by different forms of vases. The larger vase is more decoration than functional. The mug is loosely inspired by Greek vases and the banding to decorate the surface. These two pieces were my favorite that came out of the Spring wood firing here at Touchstone.
What’s something unique about your process, materials, or approach?
I love to jump right in and get started on a project. I generally have an idea of what I am creating but I do not plan. This creates harder learning by not planning ahead but I enjoy the challenge and learn to critically think through problem solving.
How do you hope viewers engage with or interpret your work? What would you like them to take away?
I hope that the viewers enjoy my pieces of work, whether it is through the form, function, or surface decoration.
What does it mean to you to be featured in an exhibition at Touchstone?
To be featured in this exhibition at such a unique place as touchstone means the world to me. I’ve always wanted to be an artist and to be accepted into a juried exhibition means that I am on the right track. I will always cherish this place and what it has allowed me to become.
Do you have anything else you would like to share?
Get involved whenever and wherever you can. Small steps are still steps and it is the community that drives places like touchstone.
Visit the 2025 Touchstone Members Exhibition, on view through December 19, 2025, in the Bea Campbell Gallery at Touchstone in Farmington, PA. Click for gallery hours.