FEMME STORIES | edition 30 | Steffi

The Femme Stories is a blog series celebrating the makers who inspire and empower their community, and continue to gift us with their creativity, these are their stories.

 

Steffi has been a prominent maker in the Ottawa community for years, in fact when I moved back to this area and started vending at shows, Steffi Acevedo Ceramics always stood out to me. Her creations are unique and a huge fan favourite in the Ottawa community. What I didn’t know was that she had a teaching background, which is put to work at ACE ARTE Studio. Last year I gifted my nephews and niece Steffi's mug making class and we had a blast! She is a gifted ceramist, artist and teacher and all her strengths are on full display when you are in one of her classes.

How did your journey with clay start? 

I started doing a little bit in high school, but when I went off to University, Concordia, I did my concentration in Ceramics. I was really excited about the studio space there. I learned how to make clay, glazes, fire kilns manually, and a lot of the behind the scenes with pottery. I really got to fully dive into the medium. At first, I focused on a lot of sculptural work, and when I moved back to Ottawa I started working on more functional pieces. I also started teaching pottery at this time. 

When you were at school, did they teach you how to make money with your art? 

No, not at all. I think in most of my art education, going into this industry financially was never touched upon, which is a real shame. I know that has been changing in the last few years, because artists need to know how to market themselves and how to charge for their work.

When did you start your Ceramics Brand? 

I started Steffi Acevedo Ceramics about 4 years after school. I experimented a lot at first, I was trying to make a cohesive collection, and I wasn’t ready to put products out there that I was still figuring out myself. As well as not knowing how to sell my work.  How selling came about was a combination of me figuring out what I was doing, and that people were starting to ask to buy my pieces. When I did my first market, it was terrifying. It was me and my 20 little pieces that I poured my heart into, all laid out on a table. It was a very vulnerable position! 

I came to know your brand because of your Neighbourhood Mugs and Moon Plates, when did you create these designs and did you know they would resonate with buyers so strongly? 

The Moon Plates were a passion project for me. As I was experimenting with this design, I was so excited about them and I had a feeling that others would be excited to. The Moon is something we all connect to and it’s so magical, so I was hoping to get a positive response from those. They are sculptural and functional and definitely one of my popular pieces. For the Neighbourhood Mugs I was in Hintonburg at the time and they had a campaign, ‘Taste of Wellington’ where they paired artists with a restaurant or shop in that area, so I decided to incorporate the neighbourhood elements into this design. I was expecting them to be a one-time thing for this specific event, but I sold out. After this I started to branch out to other neighbourhoods in Ottawa, and people love them and feel a real connection to the Neighbourhood Mugs. They are tied into people’s experiences with these landmarks and I love that. 

A couple years ago you set up your second company, ACE ARTE studio, tell me about how this opportunity came to you?

This was always a one-day dream. Within my studies I stopped pursuing my Masters in Art Therapy because of life and not wanting to get further into student debt, so I sort of gave up the idea of being a fully licensed Art Therapist, but what I did put out there was the idea to have a space where I could teach and where people could experience the positive and healing properties of making art! I have taught since I was 15, and I am passionate about it, so I had experience in all the jobs I would need to run my own art studio. Moving to Orleans and being in a new neighbourhood gave me this chance. During the pandemic I built my business plan, and it was still a one-day dream, until I found the perfect space so I jumped on it!  It was scary and it has been a rollercoaster journey but we have been very welcomed by the community. After the isolation of the pandemic, there was a need for both adults and kids to reconnect and find that calm that art can bring. I have never worked harder, I am so tired, but my heart is so full!

Tell me about the studio and what programs and classes you offer? 

At ACE ARTE Studio we offer one-time workshops and weekly classes for both kids and adults. You can create a pottery piece, learn to draw, or explore painting in different mediums. In our kids 6 week classes, they explore something new each week, we focus on drawing and painting with different materials like chalk pastels, watercolours, etc. We also offer private creative events and birthday parties. Lastly, for kids, we have summer camps, march break camps, winter camps and PD day classes as well.

What is the youngest age group you offer classes too? 

Right now it is 5+ but we are developing a program for younger kiddos.

Can people gift a class as a holiday gift or schedule a private lesson for their family? 

We offer gift cards that can be applied to any of our programs on our website. 

How early should people consider booking if they want this as a gift over the holidays?

Pretty much right now. We get booked up pretty quickly, so the sooner the better.

How fulfilling has the studio been for you? 

Honestly, I created my dream job. It feels so rewarding to be able to show my kids that you can pursue your dream, open your business, work really hard and see the impact it has in the community and the life-changing results. Seeing adults discover the magic of art again gives me goosebumps, and to see kids, like me, that were into art have a space where they can come and nurture that… It's the best. It is rewarding in a thousand different ways and I love being able to do it every day.  

 

After our mug making class, I walked away thinking Steffi is so talented, kind, & patient. Her gift for ceramics is on full display in both her companies, but with her art studio you see her passion for teaching and the beautiful gift of her passing her knowledge onto others. It is such a powerful experience for anyone who walks into her space, she has built such a calm & safe environment for your creativity to flourish. Make sure to check out Steffi Acevedo Ceramics, and I highly recommend gifting an experience this holiday season and book a class at ACE ARTE Studio, it will be an experience you will never forgot and you will have your gorgeous artwork forever!