Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Fee.
Katie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been making pottery for the past ten years, starting with a high school ceramics class. I went to the College of William & Mary with vague dreams of becoming an engineer or scientist. In school, the courses that held my attention and brought me joy were sculpture and design, so I decided to give my full attention to art. I graduated with a degree in art and minor in geology.
Since then, I’ve been moving around the country for opportunities to become a better artist and build a professional practice. I’ve worked at studios in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and North Carolina.
I moved to Saint Pete in August 2019 to be the Artist-In-Residence at Morean Center for Clay. I love it here. I am currently balancing my time between my studio practice, community work for the studio, and teaching schoolage kids art classes.
My work is available online via Companion Gallery, and locallay at the Morean Center for Clay’s gallery.
Has it been a smooth road?
For the most part, yes. Chasing my passion has been a real privilege. The most difficult part has been uprooting for new studio opportunities. I love my friends in Boston, being part of Mudflat pottery school, and the city of Boston itself. But I decided to finance the move here and let go of those things to be part of the Morean.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I make the pottery using the potter’s wheel, wire cutting tools, and knives. I pick different tools from kitchen stores and also make my own to make interesting cuts and planes in the form. I aim to emulate the grandeur of a geologic landscape in pots that fit on your table. The pots are angular, dynamic, and funky… but nonetheless functional.
I fire my pots using a gas soda kiln, which means gas burners heat up the kiln. When it gets to temperature, I use a sprayer to spray sodium solution into the kiln, which gets vaporized by the heat and fuses to parts of the pots. It gives the pots high contrast, varied surface.
Any predictions for the industry over the next few years?
American Ceramics is getting more interest and attention than ever. A couple of years ago NYT published an article titled ‘Pottery Is The New Yoga.’ I think it’s evidence that we’re building momentum. People want to learn how to make pots and are willing to invest in handmade.
Contact Info:
- Address: Morean Center For Clay
420 22nd St South
Saint Petersburg, FL - Website: www.katiefee.com
- Instagram: @k_feefifofum
Image Credit:
Katie Fee
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