Ali Mariles Golamb of Neighborhood on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Ali Mariles Golamb shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Ali, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
For me, what is most important is integrity. Honesty, even when no one is looking – or so we think, means being true to everything I stand for. It goes along the lines of doing things ethically and right. What that looks like in my line of work is many scrapped pieces of ceramics! lol! But, I wouldn’t feel right presenting and selling a piece I knew wasn’t at the quality it should be. Thankfully, in the clay process there are some opportunities to recycle and reclaim clay to be used again. If I am going to do something worthwhile, I better do it right!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Well, my brand is Mariles Studio and I am a ceramics artist. I would say my work is special and unique because all my art work is made by me from scratch. When I am working on any of my ceramic pieces, I take time for each of them and I make sure they are the best they can be. I get inspiration from the environment I live in – the Sonoran Desert and from my country’s vibrant and colorful culture – Mexico. These inspirations have come somewhat recently; I would say in the last 8 or so years. I moved to Phoenix, Arizona from Mexico when I was fifteen – the worst time for anyone to move to a new place, let alone a whole new country. I struggled to fit in and to make friends, but I took art in school – I had my first introduction to ceramics in that class. From then on, the adjustment to a new place was made a bit easier. When I first moved to the desert, I was not a fan, too dry, brown, dusty and prickly. I would say living in Phoenix started growing on me when I was in my late 20s. Now, I completely see the beauty of this place. Like pretty much everything that tries to grow here, I have struggled to find myself and to grow as an artist. If I am being honest, I am still trying to find myself and who I am as an artist. I, like many creatives, am my worst critic. I have so many ideas in my head and it can be frustrating when they don’t always turn out in 3D, lol!! Currently, I am working on pieces that will go in a small curated retail store in my favorite downtown in the Valley of the Sun, Mesa, AZ. I am super excited about this because I have been trying to get into a small retail space for a very long time, but hadn’t found the right fit. It really was worth the wait though. I can’t wait to see how this venture goes!

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My mom has taught me the most about work. This woman raised four children on her own while she had to work full time all the time. She has been on her own since she was 13 years old. At that age, she worked and went to school at the same time. She has an impeccable work ethic. She can be a little much when it comes to work though; she says all the time, ” I will rest when I am gone”, but a little more direct, if you know what I mean. These days though she will take time off when she needs it. I guess getting older does make people wiser and she has realized that resting and recharging is just as important as the work itself. Being from a different generation, I fully understand the need to take time for myself. I will say it is not always easy to remember to stop and take time to rest. I have two jobs, I’m a wife and a mom. There is always something going on! I do like keeping busy though – for me life is less boring that way.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Gosh!! I feel like I want to give up all the time. I don’t though, of course. I can be very stubborn and giving up is not in me. I want to be the best role model for my daughter. Doing what I do is very important to me and it really brings joy to my life. My ceramics also brings joy to all the people who have invested in my work. Ever since I started working in clay when I was in high school, that is all I wanted to do. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else, I have tried. I was a high school teacher for 9 years. I guess I almost gave up on being a ceramic artist when I started teaching. Teaching was not for me though and I missed making ceramics too much, lol!! Now, I have a small space in my home and I work on my ceramics as much as I can.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Coming from another country, it is not always easy to protect cultural values. I see it all the time. But, one cultural value that I protect as much as I can is my language. I think that in order to make it in any space where we are not originally from, we have to give up some aspects of our culture. Being able to preserve my first language was not something I was willing to compromise. I mean, since I came to this country when I was already older, I wasn’t really going to lose it, but one thing I told myself was that when I had children, I would make sure they knew both Spanish and English. Speaking two languages is super helpful and extremely valuable. Besides its practicality, it keeps me grounded and close to my cultural roots. It was very important to make sure my daughter learned Spanish since many times new generations lose their ancestor’s language. I am happy and proud to say that she can speak both languages very well!!

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I believe I am doing what I was born to do. Being an artist is not easy, and even though my parents paid for most of my schooling, I know that they wished I had studied a different career that would have been more practical and would have given me job security. I think that is why I went into teaching for a while. When I was teaching, I was definitely doing what someone else wanted me to do. Being an artist is what really brings me joy. Art, in any form and medium is beautiful. I will continue to work to do what I was born to do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alimarilesceramics/