feature image: Emily in her studio. Photo: Jonas Sebura.
Written by Frank Juárez
Living with art brings us joy and connection. Visiting artist studios, attending exhibitions, watching live online auctions, and engaging on social media are great ways to support local artists and businesses. Each piece an artist shares with the community reflects years of experience and vision, leaving you with a deeper understanding of the artist’s perspective. Art is about connection.
Emily Duke is a ceramic artist whose work transforms this idea of connection into something tangible. Her practice focuses on illuminated ceramic pieces, like table lamps and candle accessories, made for design showrooms and client homes. To Duke, light is not just decorative; it’s an essential element that flows through the forms she crafts. Illuminated objects add a dynamic layer to life—this ongoing dialogue between the object and its environment is what led Duke to focus her studio practice toward making lighting that invites human interaction and integrates with daily life.
Honesty, optimism, and craftsmanship shine through in every step of Duke’s creative process, from conceptual design to the final presentation of her work. She brings a sense of intentionality to everything she creates, grounding her artistic practice in the belief that the process itself is just as important as the finished piece. At the same time, Duke is keenly aware of the challenges involved in balancing the artistic and business aspects of running a working studio. While the creative side of her practice is fulfilling, it requires a level of organization and systems to ensure that the work continues to flow smoothly.
Ultimately, Duke’s commitment to her craft lies in staying true to the materials she works with while reimagining her art’s possibilities. For her, it’s about creating pieces that resonate, invite interaction, and reflect the beauty of the material world and human experience. Duke continues to reimagine what her work will look like and what it means to stay true to the material.
Emily Duke is an artist with an MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and a BFA from the College for Creative Studies (Detroit). She has built a career blending her skills in ceramics with a passion for creating unique lighting. Her sculptural work has been featured in solo exhibitions at The Sculpture Center (Cleveland) and the Kohler Design Center.
Duke has participated in numerous artist residencies, including the Arts/Industry Residency at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Chulitna Lodge Research Institute in Alaska, Ox-Bow School of Art, and Belger Crane Yard.
Each component of Emily Duke Studio lighting is designed and crafted with precision in Sheboygan, WI.
Visit emilydukestudio.com to learn more and connect on Instagram at @emilydukestudio.
Emily Duke: Truth to Material is published in Vol 39. Purchase a copy here.
Frank Juárez is an award-winning art educator, curator, and arts advocate based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Known for his commitment to elevating contemporary art and supporting Wisconsin artists, Juárez has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the Midwest Artist Studios Project and the 365 Artists 365 Days Project. In addition to his roles as publisher of Artdose magazine and editor-in-chief of SchoolArts magazine, Juárez has curated exhibitions and juried art shows throughout the Midwest. His dedication to art education and advocacy has earned him numerous accolades, making him a pivotal figure in Wisconsin’s art community.