For artist and Fine Arts Academic Achievement Award winner Julius Coggins, making art is not just about the act of creating. It’s also about processing a lifetime’s worth of memories and emotions and letting them live and breathe in his creations.
Coggins, a printmaker and ceramicist, is graduating this May with an Associate of Fine Arts degree. He was honored with an academic achievement award for his outstanding work in academics and leadership this year.
“Julius is the kind of student you look forward to seeing in class because you know he not only comes prepared, but ready to challenge and engage,” said Fine Arts instructor Ani Volkan.
Coggins, 21, an Asheville native, has been creating art since he was a child. He credits his mom, a scrapbook artist, with instilling in him a love for art. Attending Art Space charter school in Swannanoa helped him find his creative voice at a young age.
In high school, however, Coggins struggled to fit in, especially during the Covid pandemic, when the majority of students opted to take classes online. Coggins was the only person attending his Chinese class, where his instructor, Ling Li, spent extra time with him. “She would give me candy from her drawer, and we would talk a lot. I was extremely lonely so having someone who would talk to me and seemed happy to be doing so, really helped me,” he said.
Coggins had three pieces in the Juried Student Art Exhibition this spring, including one that was a tribute to Ling Li. The ceramics assignment was to create a meal that has personal meaning for you. Coggins chose to highlight a Chinese holiday that takes place in mid-autumn and celebrates family and togetherness. The piece includes a tray with a beautiful tea pot, delicate moon cakes and a persimmon.
‘I like making functional interactive pieces that tell stories,” he said. One of his other pieces in the show was a painted vase with a visual story painted on its surface. “It has lots of flowers that are based on Victorian books,” he said. “Each side is different and meant to reflect different aspects of becoming yourself after a traumatic experience. It’s about the profess of healing.”
During his time at A-B Tech, Coggins has gravitated toward ceramics and printmaking, which challenge him to think about his design from different angles. He fell in love with linoleum block printing and said he especially loves the process of physically carving out the shape of the block to make his design.
While on campus, Coggin has thrived with help from his instructors. He credits Volkan and ceramics instructor Molly Morningglory, in particular, with offering guidance and inspiration. While here, he’s connected with fellow artists in his classes who have become friends.
After graduating, Coggins hopes to stick around A-B Tech to take more courses and may pursue a certificate in phlebotomy. His goal is to have a stable income while continuing to create art. He also will stay at a part-time job he has in Flat Rock as studio assistant at Arrowhead Gallery and Studios.
Morningglory highlighted Coggins chemistry skills in her award nomination, pointing out that Coggins has developed glaze recipes for Arrowhead that have been evaluable to students taking ceramics classes.
Glazing, the process of adding a glassy coat to ceramics, helps to ensure objects are impermeable to liquids. Decorative glazes also enhance the object’s texture and design.
Mixing glazes can be costly, depending on materials, and Coggins has found ways to adapt recipes using materials the studio has on hand.
After graduation, Coggins intends to continue printmaking and ceramics. He’s grateful to have his position at the gallery, which allows him to use the kiln for his own work at a discounted price.
“I ‘ve had a lot of fun developing glazes and being able to see the work of the students and other ceramicists who work (there),” he said. “I also just really enjoy talking to and spending time with the people.”