Artists of Boone: Stephanie Ballance

Stephanie Ballance smoothing and trimming a piece in her studio. This process is crucial in the creation of pottery, and Ballance does it her own unique way. “I love how everyone has their own way of doing something,” said Ballance. Photo Credit: Aaron Ballance

Katherine Hemrick, Staff Writer for The Spark

As one of the few English Language Development teachers working for Watauga County Schools, Stephanie Ballance plays an important role in supporting students across both Watauga High School and Valle Crucis School. With much of her time dedicated to helping students succeed, finding time for her own interests can be challenging. However, outside the classroom, Ballance has a longstanding passion for ceramics, an art form she has continued to explore since childhood.

Growing up, Ballance’s family made it a priority to involve her in a variety of artistic enrichment programs. These experiences helped foster her appreciation for art and creativity from an early age. When it came time to attend college, she chose to major in sustainable development with a minor in art. Although she initially considered pursuing a double major, the additional time and financial commitment led her to reconsider. Even so, she continued exploring her artistic interests, taking courses in ceramics that sparked a particular interest in sculptural and three-dimensional design.

College also gave Ballance greater access to clay, studio space, and a chance to explore the medium further. With these resources available, she was able to spend more time experimenting with the medium and refining her craft. She also explored woodworking, but ultimately found that clay better suited her approach to creating. Unlike wood, which can be difficult to repair once a mistake is made, clay is more forgiving. 

“If you mess up [in woodworking], you can’t fix it. You’re just done,” said Ballance. “I can fix clay.”

After college, Ballance continued to explore her passion for clay while building a career with Watauga County Schools as an English Language Development teacher. Balancing her love for pottery with the demands of teaching can be challenging, as working with clay is a lengthy process that requires both time and patience.

“I’ll throw on a Wednesday night, I might trim on Friday, and decorate on Saturday,” said Ballance. “Then I’ll give it a week to dry before firing it.” 

With limited time during the school year, Ballance often works on multiple pieces at once, storing them in a damp space until she has the time to finish them. This allows her to continue pursuing her passion for pottery while keeping up with the demands of her teaching career. During the summer, Ballance has more time to fully immerse herself in pottery and explore her craft. 

“Every other year I do a workshop with somebody in the summer, spending a couple of weeks on a deep dive, like 24/7 clay life,” said Ballance.

When it comes to inspiration, Ballance often finds beauty in the everyday things people often  overlook. 

“I tend to look at textiles, like wallpaper and curtains,” said Ballance. “I think they’re interesting. It’s like we see them every day but we ignore them.” 

Beyond these familiar patterns and textures, Ballance also draws inspiration from other artists in the community. She enjoys seeing the different styles and techniques each artist brings to ceramics, recognizing how each person's approach adds something unique to the craft.

For Ballance, pursuing a passion doesn’t necessarily mean starting big. In fact, she believes that small steps can lead to meaningful growth. 

“I think there’s actually lots of small avenues that really add up,” said Ballance. “People think that it’s not enough, the whole starting small thing, but it’s actually pretty powerful.” 

Just as important as developing a skill, so is finding a community that encourages growth. Connecting with other artists and learning to put yourself out there can build confidence and open doors to new opportunities. For Ballance, it’s a reminder that sometimes the smallest steps can make the biggest difference.