Giana Pisacano Eden
Giana Pisacano Eden is a seasoned ceramic artist and owner of Giana Eden Pottery in Atlanta, Georgia. With a career spanning over four decades, she has built a reputation for her functional dinnerware, sculptural pieces, and urns, all influenced by her studies in Japan and her early apprenticeship with Richard Bennett of the Great Barrington Pottery. Giana’s work has been featured in major retail outlets, including Macy’s, and highlighted in publications such as House Beautiful. Her artistry also reached popular culture when a scene in the film Chapter 2, starring James Caan and Marsha Mason, showcased her street display, boosting her business significantly.
Giana’s journey in ceramics began in her 20s, starting with formal studies at Syracuse University and a freshman year at the Maryland Institute College of Art. She expanded her skills through international study in Japan, where she focused on production-oriented techniques. Her professional path included running her SoHo studio, Waking Mountain Pottery, for several years, designing ceramics for commercial clients like the Savannah Bee Company, and teaching locally at a senior center in Atlanta. Throughout her career, Giana has balanced creativity with physical discipline, incorporating yoga, water aerobics, and painting into her lifestyle to sustain her long-term studio practice.
Beyond her own work, Giana has been a strong advocate for arts education and community engagement. She founded a local arts council in Jessup, Georgia, leading grassroots initiatives such as Artists in Education to bring art into rural schools. She has also been actively involved with the Georgia Council of the Arts. Her career reflects resilience and reinvention, navigating commercial success, serious health challenges, and personal transitions while continuing to create and inspire through ceramics.
• Syracuse University - A.A.
• Georgia Council of the Arts
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion, unwavering dedication, and my willingness to take calculated risks.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to know your banker. Building strong relationships with those who manage your finances can provide invaluable guidance and support throughout your professional journey.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering my industry to take care of their bodies. Success requires staying strong both mentally and physically, and knowing when to rest is just as important. Being an artist isn’t a typical 9-to-5 job—it can be long, irregular hours—so listening to your body and giving yourself permission to pause is essential. I’ve always prioritized keeping my body flexible and strong; many potters face arthritis or overuse injuries, so maintaining fitness through yoga and other exercise has been key to sustaining my ability to create and thrive in my work.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the biggest challenges in my field include breaking through perceived glass ceilings without high-profile academic or magazine credentials, navigating the high cost and scarcity of studio space, and rebuilding a practice later in life. At the same time, there are exciting opportunities, such as teaching within the community, participating in traveling teaching engagements at colleges, and leveraging exposure to regain momentum and expand one’s reach.
Locations
Giana Eden Pottery
Atlanta, GA 30344