The daughter of Kalk Bay ceramicist Joan Adams, who died last month, aged 62, says it has been comforting reading all the tributes that have poured in from those who knew her mother.
Ms Adams, who died in her sleep on Sunday February 19, was the co-chair of Ceramics SA’s Western Cape region. She taught design for 35 years at various institutions, including Strand Technikon, False Bay College and Muizenberg High School, and she participated in both solo and group exhibitions.
Her daughter, Meghan, said it had been comforting for the family to hear from Ms Adams’s past pupils about the impact she had had on their lives.
“She created an environment where kids could be kids. Where your shirt didn’t need to be tucked in, a safe space where you could listen to the music you wanted to and, more importantly, a space to create in and let your creativity run wild,” she said. “There was such a respect for her and the craft she was so passionate about.”
Ms Adams’s husband, Robin-Jon, said, “Joan was often the champion of the underdog in the ceramic world, and she was passionate about seeing them succeed. She often saw potential where others failed to recognise.”
Long-time friend Maire Fisher recalled visiting Ms Adams’s ceramics classroom at Muizenberg High School and seeing her matric pupils’ work displayed along windowsills and crowded workbenches.
“She’d choose themes for them to work with at the beginning of the year and then encourage them to explore – truly explore– how to work with clay and turn abstract thought into something concrete and beautiful.
“She was funny, outspoken, idealistic, gregarious, honest, incredibly hardworking and filled to the brim with new and exciting ideas.”
In her Facebook tribute, Mia Havenga praised Ms Adams’s creativity, skill and knowledge and said she had always exuded a gentle yet powerful spirit.
And Joel February said Ms Adams had always supported him and was a major reason for his decision to become a designer.
In 2018, Ms Adams opened River’s End Studio, in Glencairn, where she designed and produced her own creations and continued to teach adult classes.
According to Meghan, her mother’s love and fascination with the ocean were no secret.
“It’s reflective in her work, in how she saw the world and connected with those around her. She was a woman of water,” she said.
Jenny Chadwick, who was elected as co-chair of Ceramics SA’s Western Cape region last year with Ms Adams, said: “We give Joan a fond salute as we continue to work towards realising our vision to make pottery and ceramic opportunities more accessible to all.”
Ms Adams leaves behind her husband, Robin-Jon; her children, Emily, Meghan and Joshua; and her sister, Marian.
