The serious nature of military service may seem worlds apart from the creativity of the arts. But for one Barksdale Air Force Base Airman, the two are not opposites; they are two sides of the same coin.

Conrad Sedlak is both a mechanic in the U.S. Air Force and a sculptor who practices and teaches at Magnolia Mudroom in Bossier City’s East Bank District.

“When I was first learning, the ceramics wheel was very challenging,” Sedlak said. “There are a lot of techniques I’ve learned over the years, and I want to pass those along to my students, so they don’t get overwhelmed.”

Raised between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Sedlak took a different path from the sports-driven culture of his high school and gravitated toward the arts. What began as a semester class to “check a box” quickly became something much more meaningful.

That one class turned into four years of study, and ceramics has remained a part of his life for the past 15 years.

He explored other forms of art, including drawing and painting, but found his true calling in the challenge of wheel throwing.

“I liked the persistence it requires,” Sedlak said. “It’s not something you can just jump into and immediately master. It takes technique, time, and practice.”

That creative journey was put on pause when he joined the U.S. Air Force in 2016. After assignments at three different bases, he arrived at Barksdale Air Force Base in 2025.

Sedlak says many of the skills he developed through ceramics have translated into his military career. Working with his hands, understanding tools, and applying precision all carry over in surprising ways.

“It’s nice being able to use my hands and still be creative at work,” he said. “It’s the same, but not the same.”

One of the biggest challenges during his military career was finding places to continue practicing his art. Many of the locations where he served lacked both arts communities and access to ceramics studios. At times, he returned home to work on his craft, give demonstrations at his former high school, or participate in local gallery shows.

“There haven’t been many places I’ve lived where you can learn and practice wheel throwing,” he said. “That’s made my time in Bossier more meaningful because people here appreciate the arts and are supportive.”

Sedlak noted the importance of “third spaces”— places outside of work and home where a community can gather, create, and connect.

“There’s a big difference between doing this in a studio versus setting up alone in your garage,” he said. “You meet new people. I’ve already connected with people I never would have met otherwise.”

Sedlak said his work with ceramics is very therapeutic because it allows him to stay present, quiet his mind, and reset from the demands of daily life.

“I’m a huge advocate for taking care of yourself, whatever that looks like,” he said. “The military asks a lot of its people, and it’s hard to expect Airmen to give 100% if they’re not taking care of themselves.”

That belief in self-care is especially important as Sedlak balances multiple roles. In addition to his military service, he is a husband, father, artist, and student working toward a bachelor’s degree.

“It’s a lot,” he said. “But no matter how much I have going on, I have to make time to take care of myself.”

Now, he is helping others discover their own creative outlet through teaching. Drawing on experience, briefing and instructing fellow Airmen, Sedlak is guiding students through the same techniques and challenges he once faced himself.

He hopes they gain more than just a new skill.

“After a few sessions,” Sedlak said, “I want ceramics to become as therapeutic for them as it is for me.”