Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Campos Masso.
Hi Alicia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in Talavera de la Reina, a city in Spain known for its centuries‑old ceramic tradition. Ceramics were not just an art form there — they were part of daily life, culture, and identity. I grew up surrounded by ceramics and artisans who treated their craft with devotion. That environment shaped me long before I realized I would become an artist myself.
Over the years, my path took me across countries, disciplines, and academic fields, but clay always remained the most honest language I could speak. When I finally returned to ceramics as an adult, it felt like coming home — not just to a material, but to a heritage. My work today blends the meditative nature of clay with painting, as well as philosophy. Every piece I create carries a little bit of Talavera with it: the colors, the textures, the patience, and the sense that art is both a craft and a way of living.
Ceramics has been my anchor, my teacher, and my way of connecting with people. It’s the thread that ties my childhood in Spain to my life now in Florida, where I continue building community through workshops, exhibitions, and creative spaces. My journey has never been linear, but clay has always guided me back to myself.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
ife is an adventure. Like Plato’s Cave, or Irigaray’s re‑imagining of that cave, we spend our lives walking back toward the Source. Aren’t we forgotten souls living in twenty‑first‑century bodies, trying each day to remember who we are and where we come from? Every struggle has been part of that return.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work lives at the intersection of ceramics, painting, community building, and cultural storytelling. I specialize in hand‑built and wheel‑thrown ceramics inspired by my birthplace, Talavera de la Reina — a city known worldwide for its ceramic heritage. Clay has always been my first language, and I carry that tradition into everything I create. I am the founder of Florida in Art, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to supporting artists and bringing creative opportunities to communities across Florida. I also run Happy Industries, where I teach workshops, curate art events, and help people reconnect with creativity. My ceramic brand, Rustica Ceramics, focuses on handmade pieces that celebrate imperfection, nature, and the meditative process of working with clay. What I am most proud of is building spaces where art feels accessible , and where people can learn, heal, and express themselves. What sets me apart is the blend of my Spanish ceramic roots, my academic background in psychology and philosophy, and my commitment to community. My work is not just about objects; but about connection, culture, and creating environments where artists and communities can thrive.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by communities of women who believe in art, creativity, and mutual support. Throughout my journey, I’ve had mentors, students, collaborators, and clients who encouraged me to keep creating, teaching, and building spaces for others. These women have been my cheerleaders and my grounding force — showing up for workshops, sharing opportunities, and helping me grow each of my projects. Their support has played a huge role in my success and in the evolution of my studios and organizations.
Pricing:
- $60
- $600
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rusticaceramics.square.site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rusticaceramics
- Facebook: www.facebbook.com/rusticaceramics
- Other: https://www.aliciacamposmasso.art
