The people of Ridgewood have the chance to work with a world-renowned artist right in their neighborhood.
For the last 2 1/2 years, Billy Moro-Wey has been operating his BM Pottery Studio on the corner of Gates and Cypress avenues in Ridgewood, offering artists of all ages and skill levels classes in drawing, painting and ceramic making.
“It’s not just about money itself or making profit, it’s about bringing art closer to the community,” Moro-Wey said of his studio. “Otherwise, most of these people who are interested in doing art would have been forced to go to places like Manhattan or downtown Brooklyn, which are expensive and far away.”
Moro-Wey began his art career in his native Nigeria, where he was a medical student before finding his love and passion in the arts. Early in his career, Moro-Wey gained a lot of exposure for his mosaics, and was granted admission to study art in Poland where he focused on architectural ceramics.
Moro-Wey now has his art hanging in countless countries across five different contents, and believes that the arts have an important place in our world.
“Art awareness is just part of our culture, we can’t do without it,” Moro-Wey said. “Without art there is no world. And there is still art that is actually making peace in the world.”
He later moved to the United States where he earned his second master’s degree in art education so he can pass his knowledge down to the younger generation.
“Going into education was an area where I felt where I could go and impart my knowledge into the younger education. I have the experience and I know there is a lot to give,” Moro-Wey said. “I have a good connection with students, a good relationship with them. I know how to motivate them, I know how to give them what they need, I give them a good perspective on life. And those who listen to my instructions always succeed.”
Moro-Wey certainly backs up that claim, as several of his students have won art contests, including 13-year-old Eddie Maza, who won an international art contest against artists from 78 other countries.
“I’ve learned more about colored pencils,” Maza said. “Before, I didn’t use them. I also learned more about perspective.”
BM Pottery Studio is located at 1702 Gates Ave., and is open Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
