There’s something special about working with clay, ceramic artist Lisa Ellena said. Making mugs and other items people can interact with is special to her because of the connection they’ll have with the piece of art— it will nourish them when they drink or eat and will be incorporated as a part of their daily routine. “I feel like cups and mugs, they are special in that way. But in terms of functional pottery I love making all kinds of forms. Bowls and plates, vases and pitchers and everything,” Ellena said. Ellena first came to Carbondale in 2010 as the resident artist at the Clay ...