A bed. A blanket. Half-tucked, half-forgotten. A pile of clothes in the corner, a pizza box shoved just out of sight. Tiny stuffed animals perch like silent observers, offering comfort. At first glance, Small Space, Big Feelings could be mistaken for an ordinary bedroom scene. But it’s more than that. It’s a self-portrait in clay.
Gideon Cable Hall didn’t set out to create something pretty. That was never the goal. Instead, they molded something real—something raw, something achingly familiar to anyone who has ever felt swallowed by their day-to-day life.
“I struggle heavily with depression, and my room can become a state of just abject horror,” Hall said. “It’s such a small thing, but it feels so gigantic and unmanageable.”
Hall, a student at Scott Community College (SCC), crafted Small Space, Big Feelings out of stoneware and glaze, choosing clay to capture the weight of emotion in a form that feels fragile, yet permanent. The piece was selected for the 2025 Figge Art Museum’s College Invitational, where it sat behind glass, inviting viewers into a deeply personal world.
A Window into Vulnerability
The details are what make Small Space, Big Feelings feel alive. The unmade bed, the scattered objects—it’s all intentional, a quiet but
powerful representation of mental health struggles. Look closely and you’ll notice
the mattress is bare, missing its sheets. There’s a reason for that.
“There’s this giant fluffy blanket, and it seems like a little space you can hide in,” Hall explained. “That’s often what happens when you’re struggling—you hide where you can and try to ignore what’s around you.”
Everything in the scene has a story. The stuffed animals, modeled after the popular Squishmallows brand, represent comfort objects, the things we cling to when the world feels too big. The discarded dishes and scattered clothing mirror the way daily tasks fall away when depression takes hold. Even a pair of underwear—complete with a carefully sculpted period stain—adds to the truthfulness of the piece.
“I wanted it to be honest,” Hall said.
The Road to the Figge
Hall never expected their work to be chosen for the prestigious College Invitational. In fact, they didn’t even know they were being considered. EICC Art Instructor Nicole Davis, who also serves as SCC’s Art Club advisor, hand-picked the student pieces without prior notice.
“I was shocked,” Hall recalled. “It didn’t feel real at first, but knowing people are seeing it, relating to it, maybe finding some peace in it—that feels inspiring. It makes me feel like I can do more.”
The piece wasn’t easy to create. Like the emotions it represents, it resisted stability.
“My piece did not want to stay up. It kept drooping,” Hall laughed. “I had to wait for the slip to dry, use bone-dry chunks for support—problem-solving like that is just part of ceramics.”
That process—trial, error, and patience—is what makes Hall love working with clay. They are currently majoring in Computer Science at SCC while taking an Independent Study in Ceramics, finding ways to balance the analytical with the creative.
“Science is an analytical field, but it needs creativity to thrive,” they said. “You have to come up with new ideas, new solutions. Creativity is still an aspect of it.”
Finding a Home in Art
Hall’s experience at EICC has shaped them not only as an artist, but as a person. The small class sizes, the affordability, and the ability to connect with instructors on a personal level made SCC the right choice.
“At a four-year school, you’re looking at massive class sizes. At state universities, there are ceramics studios packed with 30 students at a time,” they said. “Here, my class never went above ten people. It’s a much more personal experience.”
That intimacy has allowed Hall to build a strong network of friendships and mentorships. As president of the SCC Art Club, they work alongside Davis to foster a creative community, organizing events and encouraging more students to engage in the arts.
“I’ve basically built a friendship and a network with my professors,” they said. “Even after I leave, I know I still have that connection and support.”
A Full-Circle Moment
Standing in the Figge Art Museum, looking at their work displayed behind glass, Hall couldn’t help but reflect on how they got here. Their parents helped fund the construction of the museum. As a child, they attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Now, I have my own work on display here,” Hall said. “It totally is a full-circle moment.”
Their mother, a longtime art educator, planned to visit the exhibit with them. “She hadn’t been able to come out yet, but she wanted to see it for the first time with me. That was really special.”
Art as a Voice
Hall’s work isn’t just about clay and glaze—it’s about connection.
“I’m not the only one who struggles this way,” they said. “It’s giving myself a voice, but it’s also showing a representation of the people who struggle with just the day-to-day. I hope when people see it, they feel like they’re not alone.”
As for advice to fellow artists, Hall keeps it simple: stop worrying about being “good” at art.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re good at art—it matters if you enjoy it,” they said. “And if you think you’re bad at it, you just need more practice. Or maybe you haven’t found the medium that works best for you yet. Give yourself time, patience, and love.”