Name
Will Mumford

Age Group (If you are a caregiver/family member please check Caregiver/Family Member)
Youth: 13 - 20 Years of age

Artist Statement (include type of art, techniques & materials used, what it means to you)
My mushrooms are made from white stoneware clay. Using a pottery wheel, I threw small bowls and vase forms off the hump then attached the bowls on top of the vases. On some of the mushrooms, I used slip trailing to add gills under the mushroom cap to closer resemble real mushroom. I also used slip to add dots on top of some of the mushroom caps. Finally, I glazed each mushroom. On the green mushroom, used green underglaze with soap for a bubble effect. All of the mushrooms were glaze fired in an electric kiln other than the red-capped mushroom, which was glaze fired in a gas kiln. The purple-capped mushroom was glazed using a glaze that I selected and mixed myself. The blue stem for the purple mushroom is actually a thinner layer of the same glaze that I used on the cap. I like mushroom imagery and symbolism because they thrive in a variety of environments. They come in many shapes and sizes. Mushrooms act as a natural recycler, creating new from old. They also symbolize healing, longevity, and transformation.

Bio (include your age, tumor type and date of diagnosis)
My name is Will Mumford. I was diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma brain tumor in August of 2017, when I was 14. I am now 19 years old. I really enjoy art, mainly 3D art, and I like to reflect parts of my life through my art. Within 3D art, I am unable to choose one specific medium. I am always working on an art project and I find art very enjoyable. I find it easier to relax when I am working on something I enjoy. I like using clay, plaster, wire, beads, paper, recycled materials and much more. I am currently attending Anne Arundel Community College. This is my fifth year entering and I hope to enter for many years to come.