Fuki Takahashi: A Dancer's Journey into Ceramics

Fuki Takahashi, a dancer with the Charlotte Ballet, reconnected with her passion for ceramics during the COVID-19 pandemic after first trying it in middle school in Japan. With a busy ballet career that spanned various companies, including the Orlando Ballet and Atlanta Ballet, Takahashi had little time for other hobbies. However, the lockdown inspired her to explore different creative outlets, including ceramics, which initially intimidated her due to the supplies needed. With encouragement from her husband, she immersed herself in the craft, even acquiring her own kiln to continue her work at home.

For Takahashi, sculpting clay offers a sense of creative fulfillment that parallels her dance experience, emphasizing the connection between movement and artistry. She enjoys making items such as jewelry and mugs, sharing her creations with friends and family, and finding solace in the process. Now settled in North Carolina, her pottery studio is a personal retreat where she can unwind, reflecting on the balance between her demanding ballet career and her artistic pursuits.