Some stories begin with a plan.
Others begin with the decision to start over.
This March, as part of the Women of Ironside series, we continue highlighting the women behind the spaces — founders whose work reflects creativity, resilience, and transformation.
This week, we share the story of an artist who found a new path through the act of making.
Starting Again
Moving to a new country often means rebuilding more than a routine.
It means redefining identity.
Relearning belonging.
And navigating uncertainty.
Originally from Argentina, Mercedes — known as Mercy — arrived in Miami with her husband and the willingness to begin again.
Like many immigrant journeys, hers was not linear.
It was open.
Discovering Clay
Her path shifted through a simple decision: taking a pottery class.
What began as curiosity quickly became something deeper.
Working with clay introduced a new rhythm — one that requires patience, presence, and acceptance of the process.
There is no rushing clay.
Only shaping.
Only adjusting.
Only continuing.
From Practice to Purpose
Through Mercy Pottery, that experience evolved into something beyond a personal practice.
It became a space.
A space where the act of creating is shared, not perfected.
Where the process matters more than the outcome.
Her work reflects a quiet but powerful idea: that creativity is not reserved for artists — it is something anyone can access when given the opportunity.
The Experience of Making
In a fast-paced environment, working with clay offers something different.
It slows time.
It requires attention.
It brings people back to the physical act of making something with their hands.
Through workshops and studio experiences, Mercy Pottery invites participants to step into that process — not as experts, but as explorers.
A Different Kind of Growth
Her journey reflects a broader truth.
That starting over can lead to unexpected forms of expression.
And that sometimes, building something meaningful begins not with a clear plan — but with a willingness to try.
Throughout March, Miami Ironside will continue sharing the stories of the women shaping the community.
Each one building in her own way.
Each one redefining what it means to begin again.
📍 Miami Ironside: The Longevity District
A creative and regenerative urban village where design, wellbeing, and sustainability converge.