Swilley’s fortune was a pottery class and a used kiln from someone’s backyard.
“She was full of black widow spiders when we got her, so that’s why her name is Charlotte,” said Swilley.
That’s how Swilley’s business Backyard Kiln and 100s of handmade pieces came to life.
“With this little project, I can use the skill that I have to help out other people like me,” Swiley told Spectrum News 1.
The rainbows symbolize the LGBTQ community and sunflowers are the national flower of Ukraine, the country their great grandmother migrated to the U.S. from.
Millions of Ukrainians have fled their country in search of safety.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says for some LGBTQ people, that meant settling in places where they face similar or worse discrimination and violence.
“It’s not easy being gay in Ukraine even before the Russians invaded. They’re protected from discrimination,” says Swilley. “But if they’re a couple they can't adopt children. They definitely can’t get married. It’s like constitutionally prohibited,” said Swilley.
Proceeds from the mugs Swilley is making are being donated to OutRight Action International, a nonprofit that fights for human rights for LGBTQ people across the globe.
“I just want people to know that they’re not alone,” says Swilley. “It’s not just I really enjoy having coffee in a mug every morning. It’s someone could have food, someone could have hormones, someone could have a place to sleep that’s safe because of this pot,” Swilley said.
Swilley considers being able to make a difference with art as a privilege.
“I have an eye disease that is incurable and it leads to blindness,” said Swilley.
Swilley doesn’t know when they will lose their vision, but they know it won’t stop them from making their art count.
Swilley added, “I do practice throwing blindfolded to kind of prep for still being able to make (art) once I lose more vision.”
To check out or purchase one of Swilley’s rainbow sunflower pieces, visit backyardkiln.com.