Did you know that AMCAW is managed and run by a large team of volunteers? All metal clay artists, they share their professional skills and energy to help AMCAW create and bring you more programs, tutorials, and fun. We thought you’d enjoy meeting some of these fabulous volunteers – and perhaps become a volunteer yourself!
AJ Newell’s artistic journey has been as varied as the materials she’s explored, but it’s the siren song of metal and glass that ultimately claimed her imagination. These mediums have become her chosen language, a way to channel her creativity into tangible forms.
AJ’s creative vision is shaped by a childhood immersed in fairy tales, mythology, horror novels, and a deep appreciation for art history. Combined with her love of music and a curiosity for understanding how things work, these influences work their way into her sculptural pieces and jewelry designs, giving them a character uniquely her own.
In her current projects, AJ’s love of sculpting has taken center stage as she creates tiny faces that capture a range of expressions, each displaying its own quirky personality. These faces find their way into fanciful creations, such as earrings that appear to be simple cherries until a closer look reveals the intricate, expressive faces peering back. At the same time, she is exploring the boundaries of metal clay, building anticlastic forms and developing techniques to shape and maintain complex curves from greenware through firing.
Music is a constant companion in her studio and plays a major role in AJ’s creative process. A former opera singer, she often breaks into an aria while working, allowing the melodies and emotions of opera to influence her designs. This musical connection weaves a narrative thread through her work, adding another layer of depth and storytelling.
AJ joined AMCAW in 2021, volunteering her time and expertise since early 2024. Drawing on her background in marketing and communications, she’s passionate about elevating awareness of metal clay as both a versatile artistic medium and a vibrant community. For AJ, the most rewarding aspect of her involvement has been the connections made with fellow artists and the exchange of knowledge that defines the community. She’s especially excited about AMCAW’s upcoming Metal Clay Live digital event in 2025.
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in communication arts from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Science in marketing from West Virginia University, AJ brings a combination of artistic vision and strategic insight to her craft.
As the owner and principal instructor at AJ Newell Studio, she shares her expertise in metal clay, enameling, and metalsmithing through workshops tailored to all skill levels. Her award-winning creations have found homes in collections around the world.
Connect with AJ:
Website: ajnewellstudio.com
Social Media: @ajnewellstudio on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky
