We had the good fortune of connecting with Teriyana “Teriy” Wright and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Teriyana “Teriy”, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Winston-Salem NC , lived in Walkertown NC and after my mom passed we moved back to my dads home town High point and I have been there for 13 years. All these are rather small places in North Carolina and may families on both my mom and dad’s side ran businesses. My moms brother (My Uncle Mike) owned a place downtown Winston called Flashback Smoothies and My dad’s oldest brother (My uncle Fred Sr.) had a what we in the family call “The shop” aka Eastgate Electronics but now known as Eastgate car and home audio (Eastgate Comics). Growing up in these environments was always inspiring me, even if I didn’t know it at the time, helping my Mike make pretzels and going on house calls with my Fred. I earned my first dollar working with my Uncle Fred and he put it in a frame and we still have it to this day. Watching my uncles build genuine life long relationships with customers because they are doing what they love to do was also something that impacted me. Watching them come and go and make their own rules because they can was also something that caught my eye lol. Being from such small towns motivated me because I wanted to get out and show people that may be coming up behind me that, you never forget where you are from but you don’t have to be a product of your environment, you can be an whatever you want to be. You just have to take that step. It can be scary but it’s necessary for growth!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I work In a few different mediums I paint occasionally, I do graphics design and a lot of DIY projects for fun but my main Medium is clay! I love ceramics, I call myself a “Clay Bae!” I love sculpting and being on the pottery wheel and slip casting. But it was no easy journey figuring out that clay was they way for me! My love for clay originally started when I was little and use to watch cake boss all the time at my grandma Ednas house and I would try to make cakes out of play dough, but I did not know that was a seed. When I was younger I use to have to attend grief counseling being that my mom passed away ( I did not know that is what it was at the time, I just thought I was going to art class and to play with toys lol!) but that’s how they would get me to express my feelings about my mom , through creating and making things. As I got older people would point out to me that I was creative and I could draw etc. but didn’t take it serious even though I knew I loved creating.

After graduating high school I knew I didn’t just want to work a 9-5 so in 2018 I planned to go into the airforce but I said let me try school first, so I enrolled at Guilford technical community college in Jamestown Nc and I started with Early childhood Education! It was cool until I had to get out in the schools (respect to all teachers and educators) so I said lets rethink this and I really enjoyed creative activities with the kids so I got my certificate in ECE. then I was introduced to graphic design. In May 2021 I obtained my Associate of Applied Science in Advertising and graphic design but it was post covid and I felt something was missing, so after praying and asking God to show me the medium for me and I worked at Rue21 on south main in high point for $7.25 ( My manager hyped up a raise and said we were getting a .38 raise and I put in my two weeks and was back in school that august!) I went back to Guilford Tech! lol)started my AFA in Art and I was properly introduced to clay in a studio class by professor Bailey! Then a dear professor of mine Professor Drummond said to me one day in the nicest way “You need to get out of high point, you ill do really good at a four year”. As scared as I was I knew it was the truth but I didn’t know how I would do it but I took the risk and applied to UNCC. Now here I am , networking and doing things in the art world that I never thought I would. I was recently giving a 2024 Multicultural fellowship at NCECA , the national council on education for the ceramic arts and ill be graduating from UNCC Spring 2025.

So to sum things up, No it was not easy getting here and I learned that the road is not always straight. You’re gong to have to turn some sharp corners and go up hills, your car might stop working, or you might have a brand new car but somebody might steal it, but regardless, you have to keep going. you can’t give up! You have to be flexible and understand that life is going to happen no matter what we do. What I want people to know is to keep kindness in your heart as you move along. Spread it to others because you don’t know what people are going through behind closed doors. Don’t be afraid to take risks because growth is not linear, its actually quite uncomfortable.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First we would go to Starbucks and get grande iced white mochas with two pumps of vanilla caramel drizzle and cinnamon cold foam. Then we would head to the ceramic studios at UNCC and do some clay work maybe load a kiln! Then for lunch we would head straight to MarlieQ’s Food Truck to see Ms.Marlie, Q, and Cora and get some Oxtails rice and beans and Mac and cheese! We might stop by food lion and get Otis Spunkemeyer’s banana nut muffins. The we would go rollerskating at Kates and maybe go do a nature walk and take trip to NODA because I love outside and finally on Sunday we would head to church at Hope Restoration CLT!! And following that go home and take a nap!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First I want to shoutout to God, I wouldn’t be here without him!

Shout My Mom Brenda C. Wright (1964-2006) Although I don’t have many memories anymore I love you and I thank you for fighting your fight, I thank you for not giving up and I miss you. You may not have been here physically but there was and has never been a moment that I didn’t feel you watching over me. I love you with all My heart. To My Dad Terry Wright, Dad I love you words can’t even explain and I thank God for you. I thank you and appreciate you for all the support that you have given me on this journey of life. We have had some rough times but we always make through. Im a true daddy’s girl, thank you for all your help on my art projects I get my creativity from you! I got your back always Dad! (That enclosed trailer is coming soon!Give me a second lol!)

Shoutout my family I appreciate all of your love and support and holding me accountable!
To My friends and peers, I am grateful to have crossed paths an met you all on this journey of life and your encouragement
To My professors and Instructors shout out to you for seeing things in my creative abilities that I couldn’t see in myself and pushing me outside of my comfort zone!

Website: https://teriytymecontact.carrd.co/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/teriy.tyme.design

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teriyana-wright-140b782b6?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TeriyTymeTV

Image Credits
Teriyana Wright Terry Wright

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