UNC Charlotte Art Professor Explores Ghanaian Traditions Through Ceramics
CHARLOTTE, NC – Lydia Thompson, a mixed media artist and ceramics professor at UNC Charlotte, recently returned from a powerful creative journey through Ghana — one that reshaped her artistic perspective and deepened her connection to global traditions.
A Journey of Art, Culture, and Connection
Thompson received a $6,600 travel grant from the Lighton International Artists Exchange Program, allowing her to spend three weeks this summer immersed in Ghana’s traditional adobe architecture and indigenous pottery techniques. She described the trip as “full of discovery and inspiration,” and said it was a continuation of the long conversation she’s been having with clay, community, and culture.
While abroad, she collaborated with local artists, lectured at schools, and toured historical landmarks. Thompson’s exploration wasn’t just about technique — it was about understanding the deep spiritual and historical significance behind every pot, wall, and design she encountered.
Recognition and Residencies Ahead
This international experience is part of a broader year of achievements for Thompson. She was recently awarded the 2025 North Carolina Fellow for Visual Arts by South Arts — a prestigious honor that goes to only one visual artist per Southeastern state each year.
This fall, Thompson will also serve as an artist-in-residence at Starworks, an arts and education nonprofit in Star, NC. There, she’ll continue her work with ceramics while bringing her newfound inspiration from Ghana into the studio — and the classroom.
Blending Traditions with Contemporary Expression
Thompson’s work is known for blending African influences with modern ceramic forms, creating a unique visual language that speaks to history, identity, and community. Her time in Ghana not only gave her new techniques to bring back to her students at UNC Charlotte, but also reinforced the importance of cultural continuity in art.
She views each piece as part of a conversation — with her materials, her heritage, and the people around her. And now, with Ghana in that conversation, her voice in the world of ceramics continues to evolve.
If stories of artistic discovery and cultural exchange inspire you, explore more local creativity at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com and stay connected to the Southeast’s creative voices.
