Ceramicist Rika Kova on carving a space in the Sonoran Desert

Siberia-born ceramicist Rika Kova first encountered Scottsdale when living in a van and travelling across the US. During the winters, she would return to Arizona for its warm climate, scenic hikes and arresting desert landscape. Now home to her studio, hand-built pieces reflect the land’s undulating curves and natural hues, while standing in smooth contrast to its rugged terrain. Creating beyond simple pots and vases, her large-scale stools and tables have an organic quality, balancing art and utility.

Kova’s work was on display for the first time at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows. The exhibition joined Crafting New Perspectives, an ongoing creative series that celebrates artistry around the globe. The initiative signals a new era for the Andaz hotel brand, with a focus on modern artisanship.

To mark the partnership, Kova hosted an intimate dinner at Andaz Scottsdale’s Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen, where local artists, writers and tastemakers gathered over plates of hamachi crudo and braised beef short rib, served on Kova’s handcrafted plates. Tactile candlestick holders and vases accented the table, while striking sculptural works were exhibited throughout the hotel.

Below, Kova reflects on her pivot from itinerant traveller to desert dweller and shaping clay with purpose.

How did your creative journey begin?

I was born and raised on a farm in Siberia, Russia. I originally studied economics in Novosibirsk, before emigrating to the US. I spent a few years waitressing before returning to school as an adult. I met a teacher who encouraged me to pursue art, which was the turning point in my life. I had always been a creative person, but growing up in the post Soviet Union, being an artist wasn’t deemed a profession.

I studied at a community college in Philadelphia, before earning a scholarship to the Art Institute of Chicago. I originally thought I would train as a fashion or furniture designer but the moment I touched clay, it just made sense to me. With fashion or woodworking, you follow a process and there are rules. Whereas with clay, I can be more intuitive and fluid; it allows for a kind of freedom that feels natural to me.

What brought you to Scottsdale?

After my studies, I spent a year travelling in my van. I would often return to Arizona, as it is one of the few places you can go during winter that is warm. It was peaceful and expansive, and I could explore at my own pace. I kept coming back and was like, you know what, this is the place.

Tell us about your time as a van lifer.

Before I owned a van, I did a lot of car camping. I loved the simplicity – just me, the road, and what I could fit in the back. When I was moving cities, I drove a U-Haul truck across the country, which gave me the confidence to handle something bigger. I bought my first van while I was still in school and built it out myself, taking advantage of the woodshop and access to affordable materials. I enjoyed the craftsmanship of building the interior, it was such a satisfying mix of creativity and practicality to make the open road feel like home. I sold it during the pandemic, when vans were in such high demand, and upgraded to a larger one that I could live in full-time after graduation.

Van life was a very special time. In a city, there are endless distractions for an instant dopamine hit. Life in the van stripped everything down to the essentials, and I had to sit with my feelings. That kind of simplicity makes you very present. That time brought a lot of clarity. I found myself drawn back to creating – not as a hobby but as a way of being. And that realisation eventually led me to open my studio here in Scottsdale.

How would you describe your creative style?

I like to create objects that are also functional. Growing up on a farm, everything had a purpose, and I carry this principle into my work. The human body inspires me most; it’s honest, imperfect, and always changing. Working with clay feels similar: each piece is one-of-a-kind, like a body, with its own character and shape. I also experiment with different glazes, trying to recreate the textures and surfaces I encounter when I’m hiking – the subtle pattern on a stone or moss.

Ceramics, and craft in general, has undergone a resurgence in recent years. Why do you think this is?

I think people are craving things that feel real again. Clay is so forgiving – you can start shaping it with your hands and immediately feel connected to the process. There’s something healing about that. In a world of instant gratification, it requires you to slow down and take time with your hands.

What is it like to live in Scottsdale?

Scottsdale gives you space – to breathe, think, notice. People seem happier here, maybe because there’s so much sunshine, and being surrounded by the desert feels grounding. Summers are hot, yes, but I love the heat. It makes everything quieter and more intentional.

Where do you like to hike?

Golden Canyon is one of my favourites – there are a tonne of trails, some are easy and peaceful, others are challenging. The landscape also changes throughout the year; I like April and May best, when the desert is in bloom. Tucson is about two hours south, where you’ll find the beautiful Catalina mountains and a national park that split into east and west. In the summer, I head to Sedona where it is a bit cooler. I also like to swim and paddleboard in the lakes around Scottsdale,like Saguaro or Lake Pleasant. Camelback Mountain and the Phoenix Mountain Preserve are only about a 10-minute drive from Old Town if you’re looking for something close to the city.

What kind of traveller are you?

I approach travel the same way I do my work: I have an idea or an endpoint in mind, but I don’t always know exactly how I’ll get there. I like to leave room for spontaneity – like finding an unexpected hot spring on a hike. I am a solo traveller, and I love to do things on my own. I trust my gut, and respect my surroundings. We are a guest of the environment we inhabit.

At Andaz hotels and resorts, global travel is inspired by local culture. Use code ROADBOOK to save 15 per cent on stays booked and taken before 31 December 2026. hyatt.com/andaz