Jim Wallace is a long time Eureka Springs resident and ceramic artist who established Paradise Pottery in 1992. He has been a volunteer firefighter for the past 13 years and was voted Best Firefighter in 2023 by the Inspiration Point Fire Department. He is currently construction and site manager for the non-profit Tibetan Cultural Institute of Arkansas, and is running for Carroll County Judge in November.
- How did you arrive to Eureka Springs?
In 1992, I first visited Eureka Springs to be a vendor at an outdoor fair in the parking lot next to the Aud. The night before, Halloween, the sun was just setting when my wife at the time directed me to drive around the Historic Loop. We happily watched children in costume running through the streets. It was a balmy autumn day, which gave us no clue about the next day when I set up our booth to sell pottery. That next morning, the high temperature for the day was in the low 20s with a steady, bone-chilling wind.
- As a ceramic artist, how did you get involved in politics?
Visual artists commonly listen to lots of recorded music and radio and much less visual media when working long hours in the studio simply because their eyes are on their work. In my case, I’ve listened to C-Span for many years, since the days of the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings. The actual trigger which got me to file to run for office came about when John Rankine posted on Facebook in February 2018 that somebody should run for State Senate to oppose Bryan King. I had the same thought a few days earlier, and so I commented, “Well, I would, but nobody asked me before.” Sort of naïve sounding, like running for political office is somehow comparable to going on a date? I guess.
- The Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead or Led Zeppelin?
I love the music of all of these groups, but I’ll go with the Beatles.
- If you could do anything again, what would that be?
Graduate school. It was so much fun. I miss those days.
- Was there a person growing up who inspired you?
The premise of this question is faulty in assuming that I’ve grown up. I had many great teachers in high school and college days. My World History teacher, June Williams, packed more information into a lecture than some teachers could in a month, and she taught us how to prepare for exams with methods I still use to organize and memorize information.
- What 6 people dead or alive would you invite to your dinner party?
Thinking in pairs, Barack Obama, and of course that means Michelle, too. Robin Williams and Mel Blanc. Phyllis Diller and Gilda Radner. One can never have too many comedians in a room together.