Sophia Nordling, FCLC 2026

Major: Visual Arts & Theatre (directing)

Bio: Sophia is a FCLC Senior with a double major in Theatre (directing) and Visual Arts. She is a multidisciplinary artist working across stage directing, drag, stage design, painting, and ceramics. Their practice bridges craft and theatrics, drawing on Latin American folk art while exploring themes of identity, queerness, and cultural memory. Whether through hand-built objects or live performance, Sophia creates work that connects the sacred and the political, the traditional and the experimental.

Title of Research: Art From Earth: Natural Ceramics of Ancient Latin America

Mentor: Stephan Apicella-Hitchcock, Visual Arts

Abstract: Driven by my identity as a second-generation Cuban-American and a desire to cultivate my artistic voice, this project delved into the profound connections between natural elements, history, language, and cultural expression within Latin American ceramics. My research focused on understanding how indigenous cultures historically harnessed earth, pigments, and fire for ritual, spiritual, and functional purposes. To achieve this, I undertook an immersive, hands-on learning experience in Umècuaro, Mexico, through a VAWAA mini-apprenticeship, offering an authentic context for studying traditional ceramic practices.

My approach was rooted in intensive experiential learning under a professional artist, emphasizing primitive Mexican ceramic techniques. I gained practical proficiency in essential skills: preparing clay, harvesting natural pigments, and applying decorative methods like burnishing, printing, and sgraffito. This hands-on training was complemented by historical research of the Umècuaro region and visits to local artisan communities, providing a rich cultural and historical backdrop. Throughout this journey, I maintained a bilingual travel journal, documenting my experiences and fostering my language development.

The project yielded significant outcomes: I acquired advanced ceramic techniques, developed a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural influences on Latin American folk art, and enhanced my Spanish language skills. These findings directly informed the development of my Visual Arts Thesis Exhibition, inspired by my firsthand engagement with natural materials and ancient craft traditions. Ultimately, my study concludes that the direct interaction with "earth's elements and pigments, preserved by fire," yields a profoundly spiritual and culturally resonant artistic practice that continues to shape contemporary Latin American art.