Undertow at Piccolo Spoleto 2026

There are certain milestones that remind you to pause and celebrate.

This year, I had the honor of having my ceramic and reed sculpture, Undertow, selected for the 2026 Piccolo Spoleto Juried Art Exhibition.

Being selected for a second consecutive year made this milestone especially meaningful. Last year, one of my paintings was accepted into the exhibition. This year, I returned with a ceramic and reed sculpture, another step in my journey as a multidisciplinary artist.

Artist Danielle Jones standing beside her ceramic and woven reed sculpture, Undertow, at the 2026 Piccolo Spoleto Juried Art Exhibition.

I've come to realize that I'm less interested in mastering a single medium than I am in following an idea wherever it leads. The story always comes first. Sometimes it's told with paint. Sometimes with clay. Sometimes with natural fibers woven into ceramic forms. The materials become part of the language, each offering a different way to explore beauty, movement, and meaning.

The inspiration for Undertow began with the ocean.

Living along the South Carolina coast, I'm continually drawn to the movement of water. Even when the surface appears calm, unseen currents are always at work beneath it. I wanted to capture that quiet movement by combining hand-built ceramics with woven reed, creating a piece that feels organic, layered, and in motion.

As I worked, I realized Undertow could also be a reflection of life itself.

Some of our greatest seasons of growth happen beneath the surface. Faith, resilience, healing, and perseverance often take root long before anyone else can see them. Like the ocean's currents, the most powerful movement is sometimes the movement no one notices.

Artist Danielle Jones with her husband, Scott Jones, and fellow artist Pascale Sexton at the closing reception of the 2026 Piccolo Spoleto Juried Art Exhibition.

One of the highlights of the exhibition wasn't just seeing Undertow displayed in the gallery, it was celebrating alongside friends whose work had also been selected. Art is often a solitary pursuit, so sharing that evening with fellow artists made the experience even more meaningful.

The Piccolo Spoleto Juried Art Exhibition is a highly competitive exhibition, making it an incredible honor simply to be included among so many talented artists. I'm grateful for opportunities like this that encourage me to continue exploring, experimenting, and growing as an artist.

Thank you for following along on this creative journey. Whether you've collected a piece of my work, attended a pottery class, read one of my books, or simply offered encouragement along the way, you've been part of this story too.

Here's to following the next idea, wherever it leads.

See you soon,

Danielle