Sara Kenward

BFA in Art & Design

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I will...
Sara Kenward Portfolio

I will...

My work explores the relationship between functionality, aesthetics, and emotional design to create ceramic objects that will support positive social interactions within communities of care. The inherent qualities of clay with its fragility and imperfection allow the object to simultaneously communicate effort and vulnerability. My project centers on a set of ceramic cups and carrier that build emotional and physical connections with the user through their form, texture, and message. Community members enter a shared space and select a ceramic cup from the carrier. Each cup is engraved with a unique act of kindness, such as “Listen to learn, not to respond” or “Engage in an intentional practice of honesty”. When a cup is claimed by a community member, they are committing to complete this act on an ongoing basis and may bring the cup home with them. Ownership of the cup encourages a sense of intrinsic motivation to complete the act of kindness. The cup serves as a reminder of this experience and can be passed on from person-to-person to take on the responsibility of performing the simple task. By connecting users with a shared object and responsibility-to-care, this project will help users develop a stronger, more compassionate community.
Close-up of the statement

I will… | I will commit to performing acts of kindness to better myself and strengthen my community

Twenty white porcelain cups in black porcelain carrier. The cups are centered around the phrase “I will…” that is stamped onto the center of the carrier.

Porcelain cups centered around the statement “I will…” stamped into the carrier | Each cup is stamped with a unique act of kindness

High angle image of twenty white porcelain cups in black porcelain carrier. The cups are centered around the statement “I will…” that is stamped onto the center of the carrier.
Close-up image of the cups and carrier to show the stamped acts of kindness on the side of each individual cup.
Hand reaching into the carrier to claim a cup.

Community members are encouraged to claim their own cup | When a cup is claimed, the individual is committing to complete the act of kindness stamped on the cup

Hand claiming a cup from the carrier.
Several cups scattered outside of the carrier in the grass. The carrier is in the background.
Two hands each holding a cup. The cup on the left:

Acts of kindness chosen: “use positive self-talk” and “speak my emotions, as well as my intellect”

Two cups are placed on a shelf in the community member's home to demonstrate that this individual has agreed to complete these acts of kindness. The cups serve as a reminder of this experience.

Two cups are placed on a shelf in the community member’s home to demonstrate that this individual has agreed to complete these acts of kindness

Two cups are placed on a shelf in the community member's home to demonstrate that this individual has agreed to complete these acts of kindness. The cups serve as a reminder of this experience.

The cups serve as a reminder of this experience and can be passed on from person-to-person to take on the responsibility of performing these tasks

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