Rosalia Gutierrez-Huete has been a ceramicist and a painter since 1966. Her commissioned ceramic murals can be found on the walls of a community center located at #10 Wolf Street, Baltimore, Maryland and on the wall of the Earth Conservation Building facing the Anacostia River in Washington.
Gutierrez-Huete has spent 30 years as an art teacher, inspiring children and being inspired by them. Her weekly art classes, held in her home and eventually in her studio at the National Cathedral Gate House, drew numerous students from the community and many area schools. She also held a popular holiday ceramic workshop every December and a summer art camp.
Who inspired you as a child?
Everyone in my family was gifted in the arts. My father composed music and played the piano and classical guitar. My mother drew spectacular pieces.
What came first: painting or ceramics?
Painting.
How does one inspire the other?
Painting and ceramics are wedded to each other. You have an idea and immediately run for a pencil. You draw it to give it life. Ceramics is the same except after you draw your design, you execute it using clay.
How did the teaching part of your career evolve?
By chance. I started teaching art at National Cathedral School, then I added Maret and Holton Arms and, for good measure, National Child Research Center – all part-time.
What have you learned from children?
They taught me everything I know about art. They taught me to take risks, to mix all kinds of colors that make your piece special.
How has this influenced you as an artist?
Tremendously. I am more willing to take risks and to experiment. I love it!
Rosalia Gutierrez-Huete is one of 12 featured artists in the 2016 Forest Hills Art Walk on Sunday, May 15. Buy your tickets now!