I’ve completed a 16-minute documentary short

Sha8ron - The 8 is Silent

about Minnesota-Iowa clay sculptor Sharon Nelson-Vaux—a singular, funny, unsettling, and largely unseen artist whose work deserves a wider audience.

Sha8ron (yes, the 8 is silent) is a clay sculptor whose art is more than ceramics; it’s a contrarian moral intelligence expressed through clay. Her sculptures are inspired, provoked, amused, unsettled, and revealing. Through her work, Sha8ron offers cultural critique, satire as moral critique, social hypocrisy, gendered double standards, and mortality and legacy.

Sharon (before she added numbers to her name) discovered she could distract her mentally ill parents from fighting by presenting them with an intriguing rock. This early experience shaped her approach to art, making her sculptures not just creative expressions but also tools for survival and adaptation. While the film appears to be primarily about ceramics, it delves into deeper themes that challenge viewers to think, laugh, and reflect.

I’m sharing Sha8ron first with people who know me. Contributions will support possible further editing, distribution, and preparation for wider opportunities like grants and festivals. If the film moves you, amuses you, or makes you think, I’d be grateful for your support in bringing Sha8ron’s story to a broader audience.

Thank you for your time.